John Wright, a former elite junior swimming coach in Australia who was facing numerous sexual assault charges, has died. He was 79.
Wright died in custody while awaiting trial for 30 charges related to sexual assault and indecent dealing of a child.
Wright was pronounced dead on Tuesday night after the Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) confirmed the death of a prisoner at the Princess Alexandra Hospital secure Unit in Brisbane, according to the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC).
The QCS will assist Queensland Police in preparing a coroner report.
Wright’s first appearance at Brisbane Magistrates Court in October of last year was delayed after he was taken to hospital dealing with chest pains.
In October 2021, Wright was arrested and charged after allegations came to light following an ABC investigation. Wright was charged with nine counts of indecent dealing of a child and one count of common assault, and was extradited from his Western Australia home to Brisbane to face the court.
This past February, the Hall of Fame coach was laid an additional 20 charges relating to indecent treatment of a child after more alleged victims came forward and made formal complaints.
In May, Swim England was informed of a social media support group put together for swimmers who had trained under Wright and faced abuse, though no additional formal charges were laid.
The initial ABC investigation revolved around allegations that Wright abused four of his former swimmers between 1980 and 1986 while training them in the Australian suburban areas of Brisbane, Yeppoon and Rockhampton.
Two of the alleged victims, Paul Shearer and Shane Lewis, contacted Swimming Australia to report the abuse in 2009 and 2016, respectively.
Swimming Australia told Shearer it could not conduct a formal investigation at the time because he did not file a formal complaint, while Lewis, after feeling “let down” by SA, gave up his pursuit against Wright. Lewis died in February 2021 following a fatal prescription drug overdose at the age of 47.
That’s not fair- here is hoping he gets his payback on the other side.
No tears here