Former U.S. skating champion John Coughlin commits suicide after suspension

John Coughlin, a two-time U.S. pairs champion who was suspended Thursday evening by the U.S. Centre for SafeSport and U.S. Figure Skating, has committed suicide .

Coughlin died Friday, according to a Facebook post from his sister.

“My wonderful, strong, amazingly compassionate brother John Coughlin took his own life earlier today,” Angela Laune wrote. “I have no words.”

Police sergeant Jake Becchina told USA TODAY that officers were dispatched at 4:54 p.m. Friday to the 10900 block of Washington Street in Kansas City for a suicide.

On Dec. 17, his eligibility to participate in his sport was restricted by SafeSport pending final resolution of a matter concerning him that was presented to the centre.

 Coughlin then resigned as U.S. brand manager for John Wilson Blades, a major skate blade company.

Then, on Thursday, SafeSport elevated his disciplinary record to “Interim Suspension.”

USFS immediately followed with a temporary suspension of its own, prohibiting him from participating “in any capacity, in any activity or competition” authorized or organized by USFS or the U.S. Olympic Committee.

That included the upcoming national figure skating championships in Detroit next week, U.S. skating’s biggest week of the year.