Pity. He either took the "easy" way out, or was spared the horror of contemplating his mistakes for decades to come.

At least we aren't on the hook for his food and housing for those decades. He's almost certain not to reoffend now too. It's a partial win, not my preference but better than some alternatives.

This way his church gets to use him as a martyr.

"Look at what the world of evil has taken from us! One of our youth pastors, a good man besieged by the devil and evil of non-believers. This could happen to you when you let non-believers lead you away from God's light! Unless you tithe more to show him your love."

I doubt they will, but if they do, it doesn’t matter. The problem solved itself.

who else but god could intervene in this one instance? checkmate atheists

Not in this case. The senior pastor even thought the guy was shady.