Alcohol Involved in Gaines' Death

Several weeks ago, I reported on the tragic death of University of Pittsburgh wide receiver Billy Gaines who died after he fell 25 feet from the ceiling of a church. An autopsy showed his blood-alcohol content was 0.16 percent, which is higher than the state's legal driving limit of 0.10 percent. Gaines, age 19, was drinking while he was at a cookout with four other Pitt players, and the alleged source of the alcohol is a bit surprising.

According to Associated Press reports, an affidavit with a police search warrant alleges that a priest was the supplier. Witnesses say Rev. Henry Krawczyk, who was pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe parish in Homestead, Pa., provided alcohol for all four underage football players. Friends of the deceased told investigators the clergyman in question made a habit of providing alcohol to underage people. One of the players also told police that Krawczyk showed the Playboy Channel on television during a previous party and he had witnessed pornography on a video tape shown at the parish.

In 1986, Krawczyk was accused of providing alcohol and marijuana to an 18-year-old. He admitted providing beer but denied providing the marijuana.

Gaines had been living at St. Anne Church in Homestead, the scene of his death, because his apartment had been destroyed by fire

Krawczyk has not been charged with any wrongdoing in connection with Gaines' death.