Autopsy: Charged Ukrainian coach committed suicide

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — 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.