The man accused of killing Scott Rogers, the controversial former Bury St Edmunds dance teacher, has died, according to reports in America.

Police in the US claim Mathew Hodgkinson shot and killed Rogers – his father-in-law and alleged former lover – in an apparent suicide pact at their home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Wednesday.

Mr Hodgkinson turned the gun on himself but survived and was described as being in a critical condition in hospital. However, reports in the US have said that he died on Friday afternoon.

Rogers, formerly known as Richard-Scott Rogers, who was said to have been very controlling, had created a persona as a wholesome community-spirited local TV talk show host in Louisiana.

He had left Britain under a cloud in December 1995 following a warning of a religious cult-like atmosphere at the Academy of Dancing and Performing Arts in Fornham Road which he founded in 1983.

In November 1995, Suffolk County Council warned of pupils switching allegiances from parents to a senior member of the dance school. The concerns came out of a trial in 1993 in which Mr Rogers was cleared of molesting a child from the academy.

But enquiries relating to child sex abuse involving Rogers are now under way on both sides of the Atlantic.

Yesterday, a spokesman for Suffolk Constabulary, said: “There were no UK police investigations ongoing into Scott Rogers prior to his death.

“Suffolk police have so far received a handful of calls from people who have made initial allegations that they were sexually abused by him.

“Detectives will be making contact with these individuals in the next few days to ascertain whether they wish to disclose further information.”

Allegations have been made in the US that children were abused by paedophiles when in Mr Rogers’ care many years ago.

Yesterday, Baton Rouge prosecutor Tony Clayton said: “I want to know whether or not he was involved in sex trafficking with kids and things of that nature. I’m looking for the public to help us from England or the US and to contact the local authorities. We are following up all the leads.”