Former US Skating Champ Coughlin Dead After Suspension

Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jan, 2019 ) :Former US pairs figure skating champion John Coughlin was found dead on Friday, a day after being temporarily suspended by the US Center for SafeSport.

Coughlin, who was 33, was also suspended by the US Figure Skating Association, barring him from participation in such events just as the US Figure Skating Championships were getting underway in Detroit, Michigan.

Police in Kansas City, Missouri, were called to Coughlin's home after a report of a suicide and his sister said in a Facebook post that he took his own life.

"My wonderful strong, amazingly compassionate brother John Coughlin took his own life earlier today. I have no words. I love you John..." his sister, Angela Laune, said.

SafeSport is an agency of the US Olympic Committee created to oversee sexual misconduct accusations and other allegations of abuse made to US national sport governing bodies.

Details of the allegations involving Coughlin had not been revealed pending a final resolution of the matter.

Coughlin won the 2011 US pairs title with Caitlin Yankowskas and the 2012 US pairs crown with Caydee Denney.

"We are stunned at the news of the death of two-time US pairs champion John Coughlin," the US Figure Skating Association said in a statement.

"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." Coughlin was also an official with the International Skating Union.

"We are shocked and saddened by the unexpected passing of John Coughlin, Chair of the ISU Athletes Commission and member of the ISU Single and Pair Skating Technical Committee," the ISU said in a statement.

"In the name of the ISU family, we herewith want to share our heartfelt condolences andkindest thoughts with John's family and friends in this time of sorrow."