John Coughlin.Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)
Coughlin died at age 33 in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday,according tohis sister Angela Laune. His death came one day after he was suspended from the sport.
“We have only the fondest of memories of a life well lived and send him our love and prayers, finding some solace in the knowledge that he is now reunited with his loving mother,” Coughlin’s family adds. “We will announce details about service arrangements in the near future.”
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
According toUSA Today, on Dec. 17, SafeSport — an organization that has “exclusive jurisdiction over sexual misconduct” in the Olympic loop and investigates other abuse allegationsacross multiple sports— restricted Coughlin’s eligibility to participate in figure skating pending final resolution of a matter presented to them.
The details of the investigation or why he was suspended were not provided, as it is against SafeSport’s policy to comment on ongoing investigations.
“A suspension means there have been enough allegations or concern about safety to where we say, ‘This person just cannot participate at all,’” a source familiar with SafeSport’s process tells PEOPLE, explaining the difference between restricted status and interim suspension.
While some people have been calling for SafeSport to continue their investigation into Coughlin, the source says the center only operates on concerns of safety, rather than punishment, and they likely would not continue investigations after someone has died.
“We don’t suspend people as punishment,” the source says. “We suspend people when there’s a concern of imminent harm.”
Coughlin’s death coincides with the beginning of theNational Figure Skating Championshipsin Detroit, where he was supposed to work as a commentator but could not under the rules of his suspension, according toUSA Today.
Many people in the skating world have been mourning the loss of his passing, including his former coach Sappenfield.
“Yesterday I received the most numbing, devastating, and heartbreaking call!… My heart aches incredibly to know John took his life yesterday,” she wrote as part of along note on Facebook.“His family, the skating community, and I lost a very special man who lived his life with integrity and kindness.”
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go tosuicidepreventionlifeline.org.
source: people.com
