Loved ones of champion figure skater John Coughlin have claimed that rampant, unsubstantiated rumors regarding his suspension from the sport drove him to commit suicide on Friday
Loved ones of figure skating star John Coughlin have claimed that rampant, unsubstantiated rumors regarding his suspension from the sport drove him to commit suicide.
Coughlin, a two time US national pairs champion, was placed under a restriction by SafeSport, the body with exclusive jurisdiction over allegations of sexual misconduct in Olympic sports, for unspecified conduct on December 17.
The restriction went largely unnoticed until popular YouTube channel The Skating Lesson shared a screenshot of the vague notice to Facebook on January 4.
Unsurprisingly, speculation exploded in the comments section, where people wrote things like: ‘What a surprise, another pervert coach’ and compared him to disgraced serial abuser gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar – despite the fact that there didn’t appear to be any evidence of Coughlin’s wrongdoing aside from the words: ‘Allegation of misconduct’.
The situation escalated Thursday when Coughlin received an interim suspension from SafeSport, presumably linked to the same allegation as the restriction. He was barred from any activities sanctioned by the skating body or the US Olympic Committee.
According to those close to Coughlin, the skater felt that he had ‘lost everything’.
He was devastated by the onslaught of rumors and accusations, as one friend wrote on Facebook: ‘Words can be just as powerful as a bullet. To John, they were just that — bullets straight to his heart.’
One day after the suspension was handed down, Couglin committed suicide at the age of 33 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Coughlin, a two time US national pairs champion, was placed under a restriction by SafeSport, the body with exclusive jurisdiction over allegations of sexual misconduct in Olympic sports, for unspecified conduct on December 17. He is seen above with Caydee Denney during their Pairs Short Program during the ISU Figure Skating Eric Bompard Trophy in Paris in 2013
The situation escalated Thursday when Coughlin received an interim suspension from SafeSport, presumably linked to the same allegation as the restriction. He was barred from any activities sanctioned by the skating body or the US Olympic Committee. According to those close to Coughlin, the skater felt that he had ‘lost everything’ and was devastated by the rumors cropping up online
Coughlin’s restriction went largely unnoticed until popular YouTube channel The Skating Lesson shared a screenshot of the vague notice to Facebook on January 4. Unsurprisingly, speculation exploded in the comments section, where people wrote things like: ‘What a surprise, another pervert coach’ and compared him to disgraced serial abuser gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar – despite the fact that there didn’t appear to be any evidence of Coughlin’s wrongdoing aside from the words: ‘Allegation of misconduct’
Coughlin issued a statement about the initial restriction on January 7, three days after it was shared by TSL.
‘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.’
Over the past couple weeks, TSL has come under fire for posting a photo of the SafeSport restriction, despite the fact that it was already accessible to the public, because it opened the door for internet trolls to tear Coughlin down.
One of the people speaking out against the cruel commenters is Dalilah Sappenfield, Couglin’s former coach, who was by his side when he claimed two national titles in 2011 and 2012.
The veteran Olympic coach told DailyMail.com: ‘I’m an sadden with grief that a young man who was the kindest, caring, and extremely admired person hit such a low point because of the loss of all he knows.
‘John lost his reputation, his name, his work, his dignity and what he loved most, skating. The irresponsibility of today’s social media who became judge and jury is what made this beautiful young man to take his life.
Words can be just as powerful as a bullet. To John, they were just that — bullets straight to his heart.
‘John was a very caring and selfless person. Always putting others ahead of himself. The love and support he is receiving from around the world is a testament to his positive affect of people. He was an amazing ambassador for our sport.
‘I’ve known John for over 20 years (as his coach and second family) and he didn’t have a mean bone in his body. He was a beautiful soul who saw the good in everyone. He made you smile with his infectious laugh. John was a man of great integrity and just such a class act.
‘Everyone knows John was one of the good guys. Being shunned for allegations not proven was something I know was hard for him to live with, but the mere rumor of assault is what sent him over the edge.
‘My hope is that through John’s tragic death, we can build awareness to bring change to the process of investigation so that both parties have their Constitution Rights to due process.’
Dalilah Sappenfield (right), Couglin’s former coach, expressed her heartbreak in an impassioned Facebook post on Saturday, one day after he committed suicide. They are seen together at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships at World Arena on February 12, 2012 in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Sappenfield, a veteran US Olympic pair figure skating coach, had known Coughlin for more than 20 years and coached him to two national titles in 2011 and 2012. ‘John was my student, like one of my own children, was an amazing ambassador for our sport, a selfless man, and a great role model,’ she 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’
In an impassioned Facebook post, Sappenfield wrote: ‘We spoke everyday just numb and shocked about how things were being misconstrued on social media.
‘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.’
She scolded unspecified social media users for posting unfounded rumors online, writing: ‘SHAME ON YOU for your insensitive and ignorant postings without knowing all the facts!’
In another equally emotional post, a friend of Coughlin’s specifically calls out TSL for being complicit in the spread of those rumors.
Kandis Kovalsky writes: ‘Reading the vicious attacks lobbed against him on The Skating Lesson [comments] was beyond upsetting. People who never met John and knew none of the FACTS behind this investigation were saying some of the most vile and hateful things. TSL did nothing to monitor this content.’
Kolvalsky also claimed that she was blocked by TSL after she posted comments defending her friend.
In an emotional Facebook post, Coughlin’s friend Kandis Kovalsky wrote: People who never met John and knew none of the FACTS behind this investigation were saying some of the most vile and hateful things.’ They are seen together above
Sappenfield, Kovalsky and countless Facebook users said that Coughlin wasn’t afforded the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Kovalsky wrote: ‘Accusations should be taken seriously but so should innocence. Not everyone accused is a Larry Nassar.
‘Unfortunately, the process Safe Sport follows by making an accusation public but with no details so as to provide some important distinguishing factors about what’s actually being investigated immediately led to so much misinformation being spread around, followed by a conviction in the court of public opinion.
‘For John, that was too much. He wanted to be heard but couldn’t be. He wasn’t even allowed to be.’
She added: ‘I am not and never was upset at the ability of a complainant to file a report. I think the concept of Safe Sport is a good one and a much needed one.
‘What happened in the world of gymnastics was an atrocity and a tragedy. I am supportive of investigations and following the evidence where it leads. If, here, that led to an unfavorable result for John, then I could live with that.
‘What is so deeply troubling and now difficult to swallow is the fundamental unfairness of this process to accused like John in its nascent stages. A public post with no details, an indefinite timeline and essentially, a gag order. I strongly suggest that Safe Sport reconsider its process.’
A GoFundMe page for Couglin has raised more than $22,000 as of Sunday morning
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Couglin’s sister Angela and father Mike cover his funeral and burial costs. It has raised more than $22,000 as of Sunday morning.
The page description reads: ‘On January 18, 2019 our beloved friend, mentor, student, and role model was taken from us way too soon.
‘John Coughlin was an ambassador to figure skating and was loved by so many around the world. John lost everything….his name, reputation, his ability to earn a living and what he loved most, skating.
‘Words on social media can be just as powerful as a bullet. Unfortunately, the accusations that were made public before no distinguishing factors about what’s actually being investigated led to so much misinformation being spread around.
‘For John this was too much. He wanted to be heard but couldn’t be and wasn’t allowed to be. It’s with such heavy heart that we will be saying goodbye to this amazingly kind soul.’
Kansas City 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.
‘My wonderful, strong, amazingly compassionate brother John Coughlin took his own life earlier today,’ Coughlin’s sister said in a statement on Friday.
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
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