(GNB- Washington): Former USA Olympic gymnastics coach John Geddert died by suicide Thursday, hours after he was charged with two dozen crimes stemming from allegations that he physically, emotionally and sexually abused gymnasts under his care.
Michigan State Police said Geddert’s body was found at a rest area along eastbound Interstate 96 in Clinton County about 3:24 p.m.
An investigation was ongoing on Thursday evening, and no other details were being released, state police tweeted.
“My office has been notified that the body of John Geddert was found late this afternoon after taking his own life,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a written statement. “This is a tragic end to a tragic story for everyone involved.”
Geddert. 63, formerly owned and coached at Twistars gymnastics club in Dimondale, where hundreds of women and girls say convicted sex offender Larry Nassar sexually abused them. Many said Geddert knew of this abuse, as Nassar had regularly treated young athletes in a back room at Twistars.
Geddert was charged Thursday morning with 24 counts ranging from human trafficking to lying to police. He was expected to turn himself in for arraignment later in the day.
During a news conference held Thursday before the death was discovered, Nessel said Geddert was accused of using force, fraud and coercion against young athletes, putting them through multiple acts of verbal, emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
Geddert faced 20 counts of human trafficking and forced labor and one count each of first-degree sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, racketeering and lying to a police officer.
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