Jeremy Anderson, a former swimming coach from Santa Clarita died last week after being captured in Costa Rica, authorities told KTLA 5.
Anderson fled the U.S. after he was accused of molesting children while he was their swim instructor, according to authorities.
Anderson was a former swim coach at the Canyons Aquatic Club in Santa Clarita, died at a hospital, Deputy Grace Medrano of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Information Bureau said in a statement. No information was given regarding a cause of death, KTLA 5 reported.
Jeremy Anderson was accused of sexually assaulting a swimmer when he was that swimmer’s teacher between 2006-2011. An investigation was launched in 2017.
“As the investigation evolved, detectives identified additional victims who were victimized by suspect Jeremy Anderson,” Merano said. “The incidents with these multiple victims occurred at various locations between 2006 and 2017. Suspect Anderson’s conduct included having sexually explicit conversations with the victims and soliciting child pornography.”
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed 19 counts of committing lewd acts with a child and possession of child pornography against Anderson in December of 2018, officials told KTLA 5.
The Canyons Aquatic Club was informed of the death Thursday, representatives said in a written statement.
“Canyons Aquatic Club had been fully cooperating with USA Swimming, Safe Sport, and local authorities investigating the allegations involving Anderson, which were of great concern to the club,” according to the statement. “He was apprehended last Thursday in Costa Rica by U.S. Marshals and subsequently passed away last night.”
According to the statement, a U.S. Marshals Service task force found and arrested Jeremy Anderson, a former award-winning coach, in Costa Rica on June 13.
Such a tragedy…the mental illness that leads those in this direction is heartbreaking and the victims in the path, even more heartbreaking. We must be more vigilant in the observation and protection of our youth
Well said!