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"Tragic end to a tragic story": The abusive gymnastics coach committed suicide

John Gedert, who coached the U.S. national team, took his own life several hours after being charged with 24 criminal counts: "Abused and harmed little girls"

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Friday, 26 February 2021, 10:25

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Another difficult story in the world of gymnastics.

Gedert (Photo: GettyImages, Michael Regan)

A few hours after he was charged with 24 criminal counts - including physical and emotional abuse of gymnasts and the gymnast Eitan Abed - American gymnastics coach John Gedert committed suicide last night (Thursday).

"This is a tragic end to a tragic story for everyone involved in it," Michigan District Attorney Dana Nasl exclaimed.

The 63-year-old Gedert's body was found near a gas station at 3:24 p.m., in an act that surprised everyone.

"We had no indication that he intended to flee or harm himself or others," the district attorney's office said.

"We were in constant contact with his lawyers and they ensured his cooperation."

Gedert, a partner of Dr. Larry Nassar who was accused of assaulting more than 150 girls, teenagers and women, served as the coach of the United States team at the 2012 Olympics. Only in early 2018 did he announce his retirement, following the start of the investigation.

In all, he was charged with 24 counts: 20 of them were related to human trafficking and some were related to sexual assault, including a 13-year-old girl. "He abused and harmed little girls, including me, for 30 years, and still allowed him to continue," Sarah said. Klein, who was sexually assaulted by Nassar and trained under a fence.

"His suicide is a confession of guilt he felt, and now the whole world can see it."

Another gymnast, Lindsay Hall, added: "The suicide may be due to knowing he was guilty. The hardest thing is that we will never know. All the work the district attorney's office has done in the last three years has been in vain. The case is closed and we will not get our end."

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