PhillyTablet Inquirer Daily News
philly.com
email
print
font size
options
 

Autopsy: Charged Ukrainian coach committed suicide

ALSO ON PHILLY.COM
 
The Perfect Predator

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 (ee-VAHN') Pravilov (PRAH'-vuh-lahvz) 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.

Pick it up!

The Daily News wants YOU to help clean up this city. Use our new interactive map to tell us where you see major litter sites.