Former U.S. Olympics gymnastics coach John Geddert died by suicide Thursday after being charged with 24 crimes stemming from alleged sexual, physical and emotional abuse against gymnasts in his care. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a statement confirming that authorities found Geddert’s body late Thursday afternoon after the charges against him were announced.
Geddert, 63, was charged with 20 felony counts of human trafficking for allegedly subjecting his athletes to forced labor or services “under extreme conditions that contributed to them suffering injuries and harm.” He was also charged with individual felony counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, second-degree criminal sexual conduct and continuing a criminal enterprise.
Geddert also faced one charge of lying to a peace officer during a violent crime investigation for false or misleading statements to authorities investigating former Team USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar who was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for sexually assaulting hundreds of girls. Nassar worked as Geddert’s team physician and in-house medical expert for 20 years and was the sole medical doctor whose advice he would accept.
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