ELBERT COUNTY, Colo. — A former Pennsylvania field hockey coach wanted for sexually assaulting one of his underage players was found dead in Colorado, Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers announced.
William Francis Gaudette III, 78, died in a lawnmower accident in late September, Crimestoppers said. He was living under an assumed name in Elbert County, Colorado, located southwest of Denver.
Gaudette's true identity was determined by fingerprint analysis, Crimestoppers said.
In 2020, the former Hummelstown resident was charged with sexually assaulting one of his players, a juvenile, multiple times between 2020 and 2021, according to State Police.
Police began investigating Gaudette after receiving a tip from Dauphin County Children and Youth Services in September 2021.
After investigating the victim's claims, police obtained an arrest warrant for Gaudette, charging him with felony counts of statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, and witness intimidation.
He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of indecent assault of a person less than 16 years of age, court records show.
The victim told police that Gaudette's abuse began in June 2020 and lasted through July of 2021. She accused Gaudette of touching her genitals over and under her clothing and raping her.
The victim told police the alleged sexual assaults occurred approximately twice per week.
Gaudette fled from the area after charges were filed, according to police. Authorities have been searching for him for two years.
Before he was charged, Gaudette's social media accounts on Facebook and LinkedIn listed him as the founder, coaching director and coach of East Coast Field Hockey, a club team located in Mechanicsburg.
He had coached at East Coast Field Hockey for 39 years, according to his Linkedin page.
Gaudette also coached with the International Hockey Federation, his Linkedin profile claimed.
