Football Coach Tragically Found Dead After Going Missing On Christmas Day

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

The body of South Jersey resident Stephen Iannotti has been found following his mysterious disappearance. 

Iannotti, 72, was a New Jersey high school football coach. His family said he had been missing since Christmas. He was not at home when officials performed a wellness check, but his lifeless body was discovered when his Jeep was located on Wednesday afternoon.  

“It is with a heavy heart that we must advise that Mr. Iannotti has been located, and tragically, he is deceased,” the Logan Township Police Department said in a statement (H/T NBC). 

“Out of respect for Coach I’s privacy and the privacy of his family, this will be the only update on this unfortunate case and we will not comment further. Thank you for your understanding,” they added.

Stephen Iannotti’s Family Grew Concerned After Not Hearing From Him Since Christmas Day

Stephen Iannotti’s black Jeep Wrangler, license plate “RUNT 61,” was shown on a news clip being towed on a flatbed truck on Wednesday. One police car followed closely behind. 

Authorities had been searching for the coach after his family reported him missing. They became worried, having not heard from him since Christmas Day. 

His passing follows several notable tragedies involving people affiliated with football in recent times. A 27-year-old player was killed in a house fire in suburban Atlanta days before Christmas. 

Another former player was killed after getting into a fight at a McDonald’s parking lot in Maryland in early December. 

Iannotti was known to frequent the areas of the Mount Royal section in East Greenwich and the Borough of Pitman. 

The 72-year-old worried as a teacher and a coach in Gloucester County. 

TPS extends sympathies to his family, friends and loved ones. May he rest in peace.