A former US Olympic women’s gymnastics coach has died by suicide mere hours after being charged with human trafficking and sexual assault.
As per reports, John Geddert, a coach with the United States women’s gymnastics team that won gold at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, was found dead yesterday, February 25.
The 63-year-old had been charged with 24 felonies only hours before his body was discovered. They included 20 counts of human trafficking and two counts of criminal sexual conduct (some of which related to minors).
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel confirmed Geddert’s passing, stating it was “a tragic end to a tragic story for everyone involved”.
Geddert is said to have worked closely with disgraced former US women’s gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, who is of course currently serving a life sentence behind bars for abusing more than 250 girls. Geddert himself was accused by several gymnasts during Nassar’s trial.
Reports state that the attorney general outlined charges against Geddert hours before he took his own life. Those charges focused on “multiple acts of verbal, physical and sexual abuse perpetrated by the defendant against multiple young women”.
During a press conference on Thursday, Dana Nessel said: “It is alleged that John Geddert used force, fraud, and coercion against the young athletes that came to him for gymnastics training for financial benefit to him.
“The victims suffer from disordered eating including bulimia and anorexia, suicide attempts and self-harm, excessive physical conditioning, repeatedly being forced to perform even when injured, extreme emotional abuse, and physical abuse including sexual assault.”
Geddert had been scheduled to turn himself in to the sheriff’s office on Thursday afternoon (February 25), but failed to show. His body was later discovered.
I don’t know about you, but I think it’s a shame this man will not face justice for his actions.
Share this article to send thoughts and prayers to all of the gymnasts who may have been victims of John Geddert.
