Champion figure skater John Coughlin commits suicide at age 33, just days after he was suspended from competition for unspecified conduct

  • Pairs skating champion John Coughlin took his own life on Friday, his sister said
  • He was suspended by US Figure Skating on Thursday for unspecified cause
  • Coughlin won national pairs championships with two partners in 2011 and 2012
  • He was under restriction by US SafeSport, which investigates sexual misconduct and other forms of abuse, but denied the unspecified allegations 

John Coughlin, a two-time U.S. pairs champion recently suspended from figure skating, has died. He was 33. 

'My wonderful, strong, amazingly compassionate brother John Coughlin took his own life earlier today,' Coughlin's sister said in a statement on Friday. The skater died in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Coughlin received an interim suspension from the U.S. Center for SafeSport and USFS on Thursday for unspecified conduct. He was barred from any activities sanctioned by the skating body or the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Coughlin's suspension followed a December 17 restriction by SafeSport, the body with exclusive jurisdiction over allegations of sexual misconduct in Olympic sports, but which also investigates other forms of abuse. 

Caydee Denney and John Coughlin, of the United States, perform during their Pairs Short Program during the ISU Figure Skating Eric Bompard Trophy at Bercy arena in Paris in 2013

Caydee Denney and John Coughlin, of the United States, perform during their Pairs Short Program during the ISU Figure Skating Eric Bompard Trophy at Bercy arena in Paris in 2013

Caydee Denney and John Coughlin, of the United States, smile during an award ceremony at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Boston in 2014

Caydee Denney and John Coughlin, of the United States, smile during an award ceremony at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Boston in 2014

The champion skater addressed the restriction in a January 7 statement.

'While I wish I could speak freely about the unfounded allegations levied against me, the SafeSport rules prevent me from doing so since the case remains pending,' he told USA Today

'I note only that the SafeSport notice of allegation itself stated that an allegation in no way constitutes a finding by SafeSport or that there is any merit to the allegation.'  

Coughlin's death in Kansas City, Missouri was first reported by USA Today

Police said that officers there were dispatched at 4.54pm on Friday to the 10900 block of Washington Street for a suicide. The address is listed as Coughlin’s former residence and the house where his father lives, according to public records. 

In a statement, Coughlin's coach Dalilah Sappenfield called the news of his death 'numbing, devastating, and heartbreaking.'

Caydee Denney and John Coughlin speak with reporters during a news conference in Park City, Utah in 2013. Coughlin died of suicide on Friday in Kansas City, Missouri

Caydee Denney and John Coughlin speak with reporters during a news conference in Park City, Utah in 2013. Coughlin died of suicide on Friday in Kansas City, Missouri

'The John I knew was a big loving teddy bear with an infectious laugh. It was so very difficult for him and all those who loved him to see his name and reputation being dragged through the mud these past few weeks, without any due process,' Sappenfield said.

'We spoke everyday just numb and shocked about how things were being misconstrued on social media,' the coach said. 'It was so very sad and tragic for me to see his life turned upside down in a matter of weeks, to the point where he felt alone, lost, and desperate that he no longer had it in him to fight.'

USFS said it was 'stunned' by the news and extended 'heartfelt and deepest sympathies' to the family. The organization said it would have no further comment 'until a later time.'

The International Skating Union also said it was 'shocked' and offered 'kindest thoughts' in this 'time of sorrow.' Coughlin was chair of the ISU athletes commission and a member of a technical committee.'

Coughlin won national pairs championships with two partners. He teamed with Caitlin Yankowskas in 2011 and with Caydee Denney the next year.

For confidential support call the National Suicide Prevention Line: 1-800-273-8255 

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