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Former USA Gymnastics Coach John Geddert Found Dead Following Sexual Assault Charges

By Rodolfo Vieira

Feb 27, 2021

02:20 P.M.

John Geddert, the former US Olympics gymnastics coach, has recently died just a few hours after he was charged with multiple charges of sexual assault and human trafficking.

The news of his death was shared by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who revealed that she learned of Geddert's death after he failed to turn himself in during the week.

Nessel was also able to confirm that the former coach took his own life, adding that it was a "tragic end to a tragic story for everyone involved."

United States women's gymnastics coach John Geddert celebrating during the final rotation in the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team final at the London 2012 Olympic Games at North Greenwich Arena in London, England | Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

WHAT HE WAS CHARGED WITH

Prior to his passing, the Michigan Attorney announced a total of 24 charges against Geddert, all of them related to verbal, physical, and sexual abuse of several young women.

It has been reported that the late coach was also facing 14 human trafficking charges for allegedly subjecting his athletes to "forced labor or services under extreme conditions."

It is believed that these actions contributed to the victims' suffering, causing them harm and leading to injuries, which Geddert chose not to acknowledge. According to the attorney general's statement:

"Geddert neglected those injuries that were reported to him by the victims and used coercion, intimidation, threats and physical force to get them to perform to the standard he expected."

Athlete Jordyn Wieber being hugged by coach John Geddert during the women's floor exercises apparatus finals at North Greenwich Arena during the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England | Photo: David Eulitt/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

CONNECTED TO LARRY NASSAR

Geddert, the former owner of Michigan's Twistars Gymnastics Club, worked closely with disgraced doctor Larry Nassar, who practiced at the facility.

Sarah Klein claimed that she believes his final act was "intended to be an insult to his victims."

The ex-national team doctor was sentenced to 300 years in jail back in 2018 after he was accused by over 250 women of sexual assault, leading to the bankruptcy of USA Gymnastics.

SARAH KLEIN'S REACTION

Following Geddert's death, Sarah Klein, his first victim and someone he coached for over a decade, said that the fact that John Geddert chose to end his own life is proof of how guilty he really was.

Former olympic gymnast Sarah Klein at The 2018 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California | Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

However, and despite feeling relieved, Klein claimed that she believes his final act was "intended to be an insult to his victims" as he managed to dodge his punishment.

The 41-year-old is currently a Philadelphia-based attorney who represents survivors of sexual abuse and shared that she does "not feel closure whatsoever."