Heather Jolicoeur, mother of one of children that Hipke abused, his death prior to the sentencing has robbed her of a confrontation she needed to have.
LONGVIEW, Texas — A Longview doctor who confessed to sexually abusing child patients is dead, officials confirmed Tuesday.
Matt Hipke, 62, was found dead at his home in the Bella Terra area of Longview.
Hipke entered a guilty plea on March 31, before 188th District Court Judge Scott Novy, according to court records. A sentencing hearing was set for Friday.
He was indicted in 2022 on three counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child younger than 14, aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child sexual contact. Police said Hipke’s former patients were his victims.
And while Hipke may no longer be a threat to children, the harm and trauma he’s caused families isn’t going anywhere.
“It’s with us every day, from extensive counseling to anxiety. It’s a continual process,” said Heather Jolicoeur, mother of one of children that Hipke abused.
She said that while she feels sorry for the family, Hipke’s death prior to the sentencing has robbed her of a confrontation she needed to have.
“You know you took something else from me not being able to face him and tell him exactly how he has hurt us because those are wounds that don’t go away. Won’t ever go away,” she said.
The Martin House Children’s Advocacy Center in Longview helps mistreated children in Gregg and the surrounding counties. CEO Roxanne Stevenson shared an alarming similarity many child abusers have in common.
“What most people don’t understand is that children are most often abused by somebody that they know and trust,” Stevenson said.
Hipke violated the trust that Jolicoeur and her son gave him. And while it’s unknown how long it will take for the scars the doctor left behind to heal, they will move forward together.
“He tells me all the time thank you for being there for me, but my son’s been there for me,” Jolicoeur said.
An autopsy for Hipke has been ordered.
Hipke had been out of the Gregg County Jail since June 9, 2022, according to online jail records.
Some of his bond conditions included:
- He could have access to the internet through his home computer and phone if he installs a certain software. He may not access any pornographic materials, sexually oriented sites or social media. He also cannot contact children who are 17 years old or younger.
- He was allowed to travel to his house in Harrison County and he could travel to Smith County. He was allowed to visit Tyler to see his mother.
- In August 2024, his supervision was extended for two years or until the cases against him were disposed.
- Most recently as April 2, 2025, he was not allowed to have access to the internet, and he was allowed to remove the restrictive software from his computer at home.
CBS19 will update this story as more information becomes available.