A popular Scecina volleyball coach and teacher who died last month when his SUV crashed into a bridge support was under investigation by the Indiana State Police on suspicion of voyeurism.
Brian Hawkins, 45, was accused of filming sexual encounters with women he met online without their knowledge or permission, according to a search warrant affidavit. The warrant was filed Sept. 22 in Marion County.
The warrant was served the next morning, and hours later, Hawkins' SUV burst into flames after striking a bridge support in the 900 block of South Emerson Avenue. Officials said debris from the crash scattered about 200 feet and Hawkins was killed instantly. He was the only occupant, and flames engulfed the vehicle.
The Marion County coroner's office positively identified Hawkins as the driver of the vehicle, but officials said Thursday that the cause and manner of death are pending further investigation.
Court documents say the voyeurism investigation began Sept. 10 when a woman whom he had been dating for three or four months contacted the State Police. The woman said she met Hawkins on Match.com and as the relationship progressed, Hawkins gave her access to his home.
The woman told police that one day she decided to borrow some DVDs from Hawkins' home, court documents state. She said that when she watched the DVDs, she saw footage of Hawkins having sex with three other women. Whether they were in separate encounters was unclear in the documents.
She said the women did not act as if they knew they were being filmed, documents state.
On Sept. 17, State Police investigators contacted one of the women who had been video-recorded, documents state. She told police that she met Hawkins on PlentyofFish.com and they were in contact from December to August.
Court documents state that the woman said she had no idea she was being recorded and never consented to it.
Both women told police that they were concerned about the behavior because of Hawkins' position as a teacher and volleyball coach, court documents state. They said he had several DVDs in his home.
The State Police investigation uncovered nothing to indicate that Hawkins ever engaged in inappropriate activities with minors, said State Police Detective Harris Smith.
"We have no reason to believe that," he said.
The investigation continues, however, because Hawkins' death is not a reason to terminate a criminal investigation, Smith said.
"That changes the nature and scope of the investigation, but we still need to see what we've got," he said.
He said police want to know whether any other suspects or victims could be involved.
"We've got to follow it through."
Information about what investigators seized from Hawkins' home during the search was not immediately available.
The State Police had not informed Scecina Memorial High School of their investigation.
Hawkins was mourned throughout the Indianapolis and statewide volleyball community. A prayer vigil at Scecina attracted more than 400 visitors.
In light of the new information regarding the investigation, the high school will have additional counselors on staff Friday to aid students and faculty in dealing with their grief.
On the day of his crash, balloons, flowers and a sealed envelope were placed at the foot of the blackened bridge support. ..Source.. by Justin L. Mack
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