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  4. How John Geddert - the coach who died by suicide - rose to the top of USA Gymnastics and enabled Larry Nassar along the way

How John Geddert - the coach who died by suicide - rose to the top of USA Gymnastics and enabled Larry Nassar along the way

How John Geddert - the coach who died by suicide - rose to the top of USA Gymnastics and enabled Larry Nassar along the way
John Geddert.Greg DeRuiter/Lansing State Journal/USA Today Network via REUTERS
  • Former USA Gymnastics coach John Geddert died by suicide Thursday.
  • He took his own life after he was charged with sexual assault and human trafficking.
  • Here's what we know about his career, his relationship with Larry Nassar, and his charges.

Upon learning that he had been charged with 24 counts of criminal misconduct on Thursday, former USA Gymnastics coach John Geddert took his own life.

Famous for coaching the US women's gymnastics team to gold at the 2012 London Olympics, Geddert was scheduled to be arraigned later Thursday afternoon for 20 counts of human trafficking and two counts of criminal sexual conduct as well as racketeering and lying to police officials. Several of the charges were related to minors.

The 63-year-old was long thought to have enabled Larry Nassar, looking the other way over many years as the disgraced former USA Gymnastics doctor sexually abused hundreds of young gymnasts - many of whom were under Geddert's care.

Here's the disturbing, complex story of Geddert's career, relationship with Nassar, and the charges against him.

For many years, John Geddert was one of the biggest names in gymnastics.

For many years, John Geddert was one of the biggest names in gymnastics.
REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

He was known to have coached many world-renowned gymnasts, like Jordyn Wieber and Thema Williams, to prominence.

He was known to have coached many world-renowned gymnasts, like Jordyn Wieber and Thema Williams, to prominence.
REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

And he led the US women's gymnastics team - known colloquially as the "Fierce Five" - to gold at the 2012 London Olympics.

And he led the US women
AP Photo/Gregory Bull

But Geddert's gymnastics career was shrouded in darkness.

But Geddert
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

He was accused of being quick to anger and to resort to abuse while coaching.

He was accused of being quick to anger and to resort to abuse while coaching.
AP Photo/Gregory Bull

Multiple gymnasts said the coach told them to kill themselves and he often became physically violent in the gym.

Multiple gymnasts said the coach told them to kill themselves and he often became physically violent in the gym.
Greg DeRuiter/Lansing State Journal/USA Today Network via REUTERS

Source: ESPN

Former gymnast Makayla Thrush accused Geddert of once throwing her "on top of the low bar" in his gym, which gave her a black eye, ruptured lymph nodes in her neck, and torn stomach muscles. The injuries, Thrush said, "ended my career."

Former gymnast Makayla Thrush accused Geddert of once throwing her "on top of the low bar" in his gym, which gave her a black eye, ruptured lymph nodes in her neck, and torn stomach muscles. The injuries, Thrush said, "ended my career."
AP Photo/Kathy Willens

And fellow former gymnast Bailey Lorencen alleged to ESPN that Geddert once forced her to continue practicing after breaking a bone in her back.

And fellow former gymnast Bailey Lorencen alleged to ESPN that Geddert once forced her to continue practicing after breaking a bone in her back.
REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Source: ESPN

Later, a doctor said it was "a miracle" Lorencen was not paralyzed.

Later, a doctor said it was "a miracle" Lorencen was not paralyzed.
REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Source: ESPN

Many people - gymnasts and parents alike - watched as Geddert "regularly berated young girls in his program and pushed them or stepped on their toes to get their attention."

Many people - gymnasts and parents alike - watched as Geddert "regularly berated young girls in his program and pushed them or stepped on their toes to get their attention."
AP Photo/Gregory Bull

Source: ESPN

Gymnasts say that it was under the cover of this behavior that Larry Nassar -the disgraced former USA Gymnastics doctor - was able to sexually abuse hundreds of young gymnasts over the course of years.

Gymnasts say that it was under the cover of this behavior that Larry Nassar -the disgraced former USA Gymnastics doctor - was able to sexually abuse hundreds of young gymnasts over the course of years.
REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Source: ESPN

Geddert first worked alongside Nassar at Great Lakes Gymnastics near Lansing, Michigan - where he spent the early years of his career as a head coach.

Geddert first worked alongside Nassar at Great Lakes Gymnastics near Lansing, Michigan - where he spent the early years of his career as a head coach.
AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

When Geddert founded his own gym - Twistars USA Gymnastics Club - in 1996, he brought Nassar along with him.

When Geddert founded his own gym - Twistars USA Gymnastics Club - in 1996, he brought Nassar along with him.
REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

Source: ESPN

Nassar would "volunteer" at the gym on Monday nights, molesting minors in the back of the gym under the guise of medical treatment.

Nassar would "volunteer" at the gym on Monday nights, molesting minors in the back of the gym under the guise of medical treatment.
Scott Olson / Getty Images

Source: ESPN

Nassar, who is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison, was accused of sexual abuse by more than 200 girls and young women in Twistars' "makeshift training room."

Nassar, who is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison, was accused of sexual abuse by more than 200 girls and young women in Twistars
REUTERS/Idris Solomon

Source: ESPN

And though it was unclear whether Geddert knew the full extent of the sexual abuse, one survivor testified that he once "walked in to the training room when Nassar was digitally penetrating her" and cracked a joke before leaving.

And though it was unclear whether Geddert knew the full extent of the sexual abuse, one survivor testified that he once "walked in to the training room when Nassar was digitally penetrating her" and cracked a joke before leaving.
REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Stories of Geddert's behavior came to the forefront during Nassar's sentencing hearing in January of 2018.

Stories of Geddert
REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

Source: ESPN

At which point USA Gymnastics suspended his membership, prompting Geddert to promptly retire and transfer ownership of "Twistars" to his wife, Kathryn.

At which point USA Gymnastics suspended his membership, prompting Geddert to promptly retire and transfer ownership of "Twistars" to his wife, Kathryn.
REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

ESPN reports that, before then, police twice investigated Geddert "for reports of physical assault."

ESPN reports that, before then, police twice investigated Geddert "for reports of physical assault."
THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images

Source: ESPN

In one such instance, Nassar convinced the woman who filed the complaint against Geddert to retract her statement.

In one such instance, Nassar convinced the woman who filed the complaint against Geddert to retract her statement.
REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

Source: ESPN

Officials launched a criminal investigation into Geddert in February of 2018, just days after Nassar was sentenced.

Officials launched a criminal investigation into Geddert in February of 2018, just days after Nassar was sentenced.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images

And, on Thursday, Geddert was charged with 24 counts of criminal misconduct.

And, on Thursday, Geddert was charged with 24 counts of criminal misconduct.
REUTERS/Mike Segar

Those charges included 20 counts of human trafficking and two counts of criminal sexual conduct as well as racketeering and lying to police officials.

Those charges included 20 counts of human trafficking and two counts of criminal sexual conduct as well as racketeering and lying to police officials.
BEN STANSALL /AFP via Getty Images

Geddert died by suicide Thursday afternoon, shortly before he was scheduled to be arraigned. His body was discovered at an interstate highway rest stop.

Geddert died by suicide Thursday afternoon, shortly before he was scheduled to be arraigned. His body was discovered at an interstate highway rest stop.
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who announced Geddert's charges earlier in the day, called his suicide "a tragic end to a tragic story for everyone involved."

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who announced Geddert
Attorney Dana Nessel announces her bid for Michigan Attorney General in Braun Court Ann Arbor on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017.      Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Source: Twitter

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If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) or visit their website to receive confidential support.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or has had thoughts of harming themselves or taking their own life, get help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) provides 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress, as well as best practices for professionals and resources to aid in prevention and crisis situations.

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