Autopsy: Ukrainian coach killed himself

Updated: February 22, 2012, 7:32 PM ET
Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- Officials in Philadelphia say the death of a Ukrainian hockey coach awaiting trial on federal child molestation charges was a suicide by hanging.

The city medical examiner's office said Wednesday that Ivan Pravilov killed himself in his prison cell.

The 49-year-old Pravilov was found dead Feb. 10 at the federal prison in Philadelphia. He hadn't been on suicide watch.

Pravilov was a mentor to several NHL and U.S. college players and ran a Ukrainian hockey school before coming to the U.S. in 2007.

He had pleaded not guilty to charges he fondled a 14-year-old Ukrainian boy at his Philadelphia apartment last month and threatened a player who witnessed it.

His public defender declined to comment Wednesday. A prison spokesman didn't immediately return messages.


Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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