Jason Maser, a 22-year-old high school volleyball coach from Long Island, New York, took his own life on Friday, March 22, 2024, following his initial court appearance on rape charges. Maser was affiliated with Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead, New York, and B&B Volleyball Club in Albertson, New York.
Maser deliberately walked into the path of a train on the Long Island Railroad in Syosset, New York, on Friday night, according to law enforcement officials.
The young coach was arrested on Thursday, March 21, after being accused of raping a 15-year-old female athlete twice, on February 7 and March 7, inside his Jeep Cherokee.
Maser pleaded not guilty at his first court hearing in Hempstead to two counts of rape and additional charges of sexual assault and child endangerment. He was released after posting $75,000 in cash or a $150,000 bond for bail.
In response to the allegations, both volleyball programs severed ties with Maser. Prior to his arrest, B&B Volleyball had informed parents of an “inappropriate relationship” between a coach and a player, emphasizing their zero-tolerance policy on misconduct. The club also confirmed to local media that Maser had completed obligatory US Safe Sport training and had been cleared by USA Volleyball, including a background check.
In a similar vein, Sacred Heart Academy officials stated they had promptly alerted law enforcement upon learning about the allegations against Maser.
Manhasset Schools in New York also said that Maser had served as a coach for their boys’ volleyball team during the 2022 season. Investigators believe there may be more victims and are appealing for anyone with information to step forward.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority confirmed Maser’s suicide, which took place around 10:35 p.m. at the Woodbury Road crossing. A suicide note was discovered at the scene. Maser was scheduled for another court appearance on April 1.
This marks the second time within a month that an individual in the tri-state area accused of child sex crimes has died by suicide. Earlier, Dr. John Magaldi, a Hartford, Connecticut physician implicated in a child prostitution sting, was also found dead.
Magaldi, the former head of the rheumatology department at the Hartford HealthCare Bone and Joint Institute, faced multiple charges including attempted risk of injury, sexual contact with a minor under 16, attempted second-degree sexual assault, attempted commercial sexual abuse of a minor, and obstruction of police.
