LANSING, MI — A former Olympics gymnastic coach from mid-Michigan who was set to stand trial on 24 criminal charges related to sexual assault was found dead from suicide Thursday.
Michigan State Police officials say John Geddert’s body was found at a rest area west of Lansing on I-96 Thursday afternoon. The one-time USA National Coach of the Year was charged with over 20 counts and faced decades in prison if he was convicted. He owned Twistars gymnastics club in Dimondale and worked closely with convicted sex offender and former Team USA doctor Larry Nassar.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a statement after learning about Geddert’s death saying it was a tragic end to a tragic story for everyone involved.
The 63-year-old Geddert, of Grand Ledge, was accused of committing at least one sexual assault and multiple incidents of physical abuse against dozens of his young female athletes. He is also accused of headbutting gymnasts and throwing them into walls.
Geddert was expected to turn himself in to authorities at the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office and be arraigned Thursday afternoon before reports of his suicide came to light.
