Why was John Geddert allowed to turn himself in?
‘We had been in contact with his attorney and were assured of his cooperation,’ says Attorney General’s Office
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The Michigan Sexual Assault Hotline offers anonymous assistance and support without judgement. It can be reached at 855-864-2374.
John Geddert, the former U.S. Olympics coach and former owner of Twistars Gymnastics, killed himself Thursday just hours after he was charged with 24 felonies.
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The former U.S. Olympics coach had ties to disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison 40-125 years in Eaton County prison and 40-175 years in Ingham County prison after more than 150 victims came forward accusing him of sexual assault.
John Geddert, who coached the 2012 US Olympic women s gymnastics team, was found dead after being charged with 24 felonies in connection with the abuse of young gymnasts, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced.
The 63-year-old was facing charges that included human trafficking, criminal sexual conduct and lying to a peace officer, a release from Ms Nessel s office read.
Mr Geddert had been expected to turn himself in and be arraigned later today.
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USA gymnast coach John Geddert has been found dead.(Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports/CNN) My office has been notified that the body of John Geddert was found late this afternoon after taking his own life. This is a tragic end to a tragic story for everyone involved, Ms Nessel said in a statement.
Gymnast to coach: You should be in jail with Nassar 01:39 (CNN)The death of John Geddert, the US Olympic team coach who was charged with 24 felonies in connection with the abuse of young gymnasts, was an escape from justice, said Sarah Klein, one of the many athletes who reacted to his suicide
on Thursday. He tortured and abused little girls, myself included, for more than 30 years and was able to cheat justice, said Klein, who had identified herself as the first to be abused by former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.
Geddert, who took his own life Thursday after news of the charges, was the former owner of Michigan s famed Twistars Gymnastics Club. It was one of the places Nassar had admitted to sexually abusing young female athletes. Twistars has since been sold and renamed.
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