Kansas City, MO. — John Coughlin, American pairs figure skating champion, was found dead Saturday at the age of 33.
A day before his death, Coughlin was temporarily suspended from the sport by the US Center for SafeSport.
On Thursday, the US Center for SafeSport listed his name with the note “Interim Measure – Restriction”, following unknown allegations which the athlete denied.
He subsequently resigned as U.S. brand manager for John Wilson Blades. After SafeSport changed his status to “interim suspension”, U.S. Figure Skating suspended Coughlin. The following afternoon, police were dispatched to his father’s home in Kansas City following a report of a suicide.
The department has confirmed the manner of death but did not reveal how Coughlin took his life.
“My wonderful, strong, amazingly compassionate brother John Coughlin took his own life earlier today,” his sister Angela Laune wrote on Facebook. “I have no words.”
The ISU issued this statement Saturday. “We are shocked and saddened by the unexpected passing of John Coughlin, Chair of the ISU Athletes Commission and member of the ISU Single & Pair Skating Technical Committee. In the name of the ISU family, we herewith want to share our heartfelt condolences and kindest thoughts with John’s family and friends in this time of sorrow.”
With Caydee Denney, he was the 2012 Four Continents silver medalist and 2012 U.S. national champion. With previous partner Caitlin Yankowskas, he was the 2011 U.S. champion.
