When did Matthew Perna die? Trump posthumously pardons Capitol rioter who died "of a broken heart"

Matthew Perna, a Capitol rioter who took his own life while awaiting sentencing on charges relating to "witness tampering, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, and two counts of disorderly conduct," per NBC News, was pardoned posthumously by President Trump.

The official obituary, written by his family, reads as follows:

"Matthew Lawrence Perna died on February 25, 2022 of a broken heart. His community (which he loved), his country, and the justice system killed his spirit and his zest for life. Matt was an amazing man!"

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Everything we know about Matthew Perna, the late Capitol rioter whose family swears he didn't have a hateful bone in his body

Matthew Perna was present at the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot in Washington DC. His family claims that he was there to "peacefully stand up for his country."

"He entered the Capitol through a previously opened door (he did not break in as was reported)," his family wrote in the obituary. "He didn't break, touch, or steal anything. He did not harm anyone, as he stayed within the velvet ropes taking pictures."

As reported by The Business Insider, a statement from the FBI reveals that Perna told investigators that he "walked right into" the Capitol. In videos obtained by Daily Motion, Perna can be seen wearing a "Make America Great Again" hoodie and holding up his phone inside the structure, seemingly to take photos and videos of what was going on.

One of his lawyers, J. Gerald Ingram, said in a statement, per NBC News:

“The government had recently announced an intention to seek an additional sentencing enhancement with Mr. Perna, and he was psychologically frail and not able to deal with the stress of the situation."

The obituary mentioned that he entered the Capitol through an open door and that he did not vandalize the property in any way. It further mentioned,

"For this act he has been persecuted by many members of his community, friends, relatives, and people who had never met him," the obituary said. "Many people were quietly supportive, and Matt was truly grateful for them. The constant delays in hearings, and postponements dragged out for over a year. Because of this, Matt's heart broke and his spirit died, and many people are responsible for the pain he endured."

The Justice Department's website states that Matthew Perna was charged with,

"obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building."

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While Matthew Perna pleaded guilty to all counts in December 2021, he took his own life before he could be sentenced.