Former U.S. Figure Skating Champion John Coughlin Commits Suicide After Suspension
RIP
Coughlin's suspensions come one week before the biggest event in U.S. figure skating.
Danny Moloshok/REUTERS
John Coughlin, a two-time U.S. figure skating champion, committed suicide on Friday following his suspension, according to USA Today. “My wonderful, strong, amazingly compassionate brother John Coughlin took his own life earlier today,” wrote Coughlin’s sister, Angela Laune, on Facebook. “I have no words.” Coughlin’s death came one day after the U.S. Center for SafeSport and U.S. Figure Skating suspended him. The 33-year-old, who was also a regular TV skating commentator and coach, was first restricted from skating on Dec. 17 after “pending final resolution of a matter concerning him that was presented to the center,” USA Today reported. In a statement on Twitter, U.S. Figure Skating said it was “stunned at the news” and offered “heartfelt and deepest sympathies” to his family, adding that “out of respect to the family, we will have no further comment until a later time.” The suspensions came just one week before the national championship in Detroit. The TV company producing coverage for nationals also decided Coughlin would not be working at the event as a commentator, per USA Today.
We are stunned at the news of the death of two-time U.S. pairs champion John Coughlin. Our heartfelt and deepest sympathies are with his father Mike, sister Angela and the rest of his family. Out of respect to the family, we will have no further comment until a later time.
