LANSING, Mich. – The human trafficking and abuse case against former U.S. gymnastics coach John Geddert is over after he took his own life at a rest stop, but legal experts believe the way he was charged may be a new beginning in the fight to protect young athletes. READ: Hours after being charged with 24 felonies, former gymnastics coach John Geddert kills himselfWhen the state charged Geddert with 20 counts of human trafficking in February, each count was for a specific allegation of forced labor -- 14 counts against adult athletes, six counts against minors. It was a novel approach by prosecutors that could potentially set the stage for future cases against major amateur sports organizations or colleges. AdREAD: Why was John Geddert allowed to turn himself in? He spent years as an investigator for the NCAA, looking into complaints of mistreatment made by athletes against coaches or team officials.

LANSING, Mich. – John Geddert, the former U.S. Olympics coach and former owner of Twistars Gymnastics, killed himself Thursday hours after he was charged with 24 felonies. READ: Former US Olympics coach John Geddert kills himself following announcement of felony chargesPolice confirmed Geddert’s body was found at a rest stop on I-96 in Grand Ledge just after 3:20 p.m. Geddert was expected to be arraigned at 2 p.m. Thursday on 24 felonies, but he did not show up to the hearing. During Nassar’s trial, multiple gymnasts said they held Geddert responsible for Nassar’s abuse and said Geddert had enabled Nassar. Nessel announced the 24 felony charges against the former gymnastics coach at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

GRAND LEDGE, Mich. – Police have confirmed John Geddert, the former U.S. Olympics coach and former owner of Twistars Gymnastics, killed himself Thursday at a rest stop in Grand Ledge. He was 63 years old. According to the Michigan State Police, Geddert’s body was found at a rest area on eastbound I-96 just after 3:20 p.m.UPDATE: Hours after being charged with 24 felonies, former gymnastics coach John Geddert kills himselfProsecutors filed charges earlier that day in Eaton County against Geddert. READ: Ex-Olympics coach with ties to Nassar faces 20 human trafficking charges among othersAdThe former U.S. Olympics coach had ties to disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison -- 40-125 years in Eaton County prison and 40-175 years in Ingham County prison -- after more than 150 victims came forward accusing him of sexual assault. The following felony charges were filed against Geddert:14 charges of human trafficking -- forced labor resulting in injurySix charges of human trafficking of a minor for forced laborOne count of criminal enterprises -- racketeering proceedsOne count first degree criminal sexual conductOne county second degree criminal sexual conductOne count lying to a peace officer during a violent crime investigationMichigan Attorney General Dana Nessel called Geddert’s death “a tragic end to a tragic story for everyone involved.”

LANSING, Mich. – Prosecutors filed charges Thursday in Eaton County against the former owner of Twistars Gymnastics, John Geddert. The former U.S. Olympics coach had ties to disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison -- 40-125 years in Eaton County prison and 40-175 years in Ingham County prison -- after more than 150 victims came forward accusing him of sexual assault. UPDATE: Former US Olympics coach John Geddert kills himself following announcement of felony chargesGeddert was the head coach of the U.S. Olympics Gymnastics team in 2012. Geddert, 63, is accused of injuring people for years through forced labor, recruiting minors for forced labor and molestation. “I am grateful for these survivors coming forward to cooperate with our investigation and for bravely sharing their stories.”