Ex-Worthington Christian coach, accused of having sex with students, found dead

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A former Worthington Christian High School girls basketball coach accused of having sex with two female students on his team died by suicide on Wednesday, officials say.

The Columbus Division of Police said officers were called to a house in the 1600 block of Briarwood Avenue for a reported shooting. One person was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Franklin County Coroner's Office confirmed the person found dead at the home was 35-year-old Jason Dawson.

Dawson was arrested in North Carolina in March and extradited to Columbus earlier this month. He was charged in Franklin County with sexual battery involving a minor and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor. He was also federally charged on Tuesday with sexual exploitation of a minor and distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography.

Federal court documents say the two former students began talking to each other last year and learned they were both in a sexual relationship with Dawson from November 2021 to October 2022 when they were 16 years old. Both former students are now over 18.

In November 2023, the women told law enforcement they had sex with Dawson, who was their basketball coach, and that sometimes he would record them. Court documents say each woman gave detectives footage of Dawson having sex with them.

Detectives interviewed Dawson in March 2024 after he was arrested. Records say that during the interview, Dawson remembered making and sending videos with the former students.

Court records say Dawson bonded out of jail on Friday.

Editor's Note: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.