The sexual assault charges against a North Vancouver hockey coach have been dropped after the complainant's death.
Seven counts of sexual assault and sexual interference were laid against Dusan Benicky Dec. 2 in relation to alleged offences against a player between 1991 and 1995.
But after the unidentified player, now 28, died suddenly early Monday, Crown prosecutors recommended a stay of proceedings since they cannot pursue the charges without the player's evidence.
RCMP have ruled out foul play in the death, but won't say whether the man committed suicide.
Benicky has maintained his innocence since being charged and has a Facebook group where ex-players and colleagues have sprung to his defence.
"I am not guilty of the terrible charges that have been brought against me," Benicky writes on his Hockey Performance Centre website. "These horrible accusations are devastating to myself, my dear family as well as our friends and colleagues."
