Breaking News
Disgraced ex-Team USA Gymnastics coach John Geddert took his own life next to a dumpster at a rest area in Michigan … minutes before he was scheduled to surrender to authorities.
A family member called 911 on Feb. 25 when Geddert failed to turn himself into law enforcement officials to face 24 criminal charges stemming from alleged misconduct during his career as a gymnastics coach.
As we previously reported, 63-year-old Geddert was facing 20 counts of human trafficking, 2 counts of sexual assault, 1 count of racketeering and 1 count of lying to a peace officer — he was facing life in prison.
According to a 911 call released by officials, a woman who claims to be a family member says they started tracking Geddert’s phone when he didn’t show up at the scheduled surrender site … and used GPS to locate him at a rest area in Michigan.
When they got to the scene, they found Geddert dead next to a dumpster with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
The woman on the 911 call is in tears as she describes the scene to the dispatcher.
“He’s not in a vehicle … he’s on the ground by the dumpster.”
Officials had announced the charges against Geddert in a press release earlier in the day — and he was scheduled to be arraigned in the afternoon. He never made it to court.
As we previously reported, Geddert’s death essentially ends the criminal case against him — because there’s really no point in prosecuting a dead person.
Alleged victims will likely take action against Geddert’s estate in civil court — but it’s usually more difficult to win a civil case without a criminal conviction.
Geddert was the coach of the famous 2012 Team USA Gymnastics team — known as the Fierce Five — comprised of superstars Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross and Jordyn Wieber.