John Geddert, former Olympic gymnastics coach, kills himself after being charged with human trafficking, sex assault

LANSING, Mich. — Former Olympics gymnastics coach John Geddert took his own life Thursday afternoon, hours after a judge issued a warrant charging him with human trafficking, racketeering and sexual assault.

Michigan State Police said Geddert's body was found at a rest area along eastbound Interstate 96 in Clinton County, Michigan, about 3:24 p.m ET.

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, Michigan, 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.

 

IMAGE CREDITS: John Geddert, shown on Dec. 14, 2011. Greg DeRuiter

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. 

Athletes who worked with him were subjected to excessive physical training and were forced to perform while injured, Nessel said. Athletes also attempted suicide, harmed themselves and suffered from eating disorders, she said. 

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. 

CREDITS: Former USA Gymnastics coach is known as one of the most successful in the sport. But he's also one of the most controversial. Geddert founded the Twistars gymnastics club with his wife in Michigan in 1996. Eric Lacy / Lansing State Journal

OPINION:Geddert's death by suicide causes more harm to gymnasts he abused

The trafficking charges all were alleged to have occurred between 2008 and 2018. The six charges involving minors carry a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison upon conviction.

The charge of lying to police was the only charge directly related to Nassar, Assistant Attorney General Danielle Hagaman-Clark said. Authorities alleged Geddert knew Nassar was sexually abusing athletes but failed to take action, then lied to police when asked about it. They said Geddert lied by saying he had never heard complaints about Nassar's treatment, by denying he was aware of any athletes receiving intravaginal treatments at Twistars and by saying males were not allowed in the female locker room.

"These charges against Mr. Geddert are for his actions and his alone," Hagaman-Clark said at the news conference with Nessel. "(The charges are about) his behavior in his gym related to his coaching."The two sexual assault charges involved a single athlete between the ages of 13 and 16. First-degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum penalty of up to life in prison upon conviction.

The racketeering charge was based on allegations Geddert had trafficked 15 of the athletes, referred to in court documents only by their initials, for financial gain. The listed address for the racketeering count was 9410 Davis Highway in Dimondale, which is the building formerly used by Twistars.

An attorney for Geddert, Chris Bergstrom, did not respond to a requests for comment Thursday. 

Rachael Denhollander, the first person to publicly accuse Nassar of sexual assault, referred to Geddert's death on Twitter on Thursday.

"So much pain and grief for everyone," she said. "To the survivors, you have been heard and believed, and we stand with you. Thank you for telling the truth. What you have done matters. Please stay safe, you are loved and wanted here."

So much pain and grief for everyone.

To the survivors, you have been heard and believed, and we stand with you. Thank you for telling the truth. What you have done matters.

Please stay safe, you are loved and wanted here. https://t.co/7EP9cJ13fa

— Rachael Denhollander (@R_Denhollander) February 25, 2021

Denhollander told the Indianapolis Star in 2016 that she had been abused by Nassar. The Star published an article about the accusations that September. 

Hundreds of woman and girls would follow Denhollander with stories of their own abuse at Nassar's hands. Denhollander made the final victim impact statement in Ingham County Circuit Court, prior to Nassar being sentenced to 40 to 175 years behind bars.  Angie Povilaitis, the lead prosecutor in the Nassar cases, also tweeted about Geddert's death.

"A lot of folks may not realize how heavy & hard today's news of John Geddert's suicide is.(on many victims and former gymnasts," she said. "Speaking to them directly: HE made his decisions & choices-ALL OF THEM. None of the weight of his choices or burdens should be yours to (bear)."

Suicide Lifeline: If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time of day or night or chat online.