Former Suffolk dance teacher ‘shot dead’ by ex-lover, who was also his son-in-law
A former Suffolk dance teacher has been shot dead by his former lover, according to reports.
Scott Rogers, 56, founded the Academy of Dancing and Performing Arts in Bury St Edmunds before moving to the US and beginning a TV career.
He went on to host the Louisiana ‘Around Town’ talk show, but was found dead on Wednesday with a gunshot wound to his head in his Baton Rouge home, alongside son-in-law Mathew Hodgkinson, 36, who is still alive but in critical condition.
The pair are thought to be former lovers, though Mr Hodgkinson – who is also a former pupil of Mr Rogers – is married to his daughter Kimmy.
Mr Rodgers was previously cleared of 13 charges surrounding his conduct at the dance academy in 1995, after his teaching style was likened by the local council to a “cult”.
Brett Stassi of Iberville Sheriff’s Office said: “Rogers was found with a single gun shot wound to the head and Mathew was on the floor with a gun shot wound to the head.
“He was still alive but only because of the angle of the gun when it was shot, otherwise it would have gone straight through his brain and he would probably be dead.
“It looked like a murder and failed attempted suicide. Scott was shot in his bed, under the covers, tucked neatly in.”
