SYOSSET, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — A former Long Island volleyball coach who was arrested on Thursday for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl twice died by suicide on Friday evening, MTA police said.
Jason Maser, 22, of Syosset, was pronounced dead at the scene after MTA police said he intentionally stepped in front of of Long Island Rail Road train #1573 at the Woodbury Road crossing in Syosset, east of the station, at about 10:35 p.m.
MTA police responded to the scene, and in a joint investigation with the Nassau County Police Department, identified Maser and found that he left behind a suicide note.
On Thursday, Maser, who was employed as a girls’ volleyball coach at the Sacred Heart High School in Hempstead and B&B Volleyball league in Albertson, was charged Thursday with two counts of third-degree rape, two counts of third-degree criminal sexual act and endangering the welfare of a child.
Maser was accused of raping the 15-year-old female victim in two separate incidents, one on Feb. 7 and the other on March 7.
Maser’s death occurred the same day of his arraignment, where he was released on $75,000 bail and ordered to stay away from the victim, Newsday reported.
"The family is devastated for obvious reasons," Maser's defense lawyer, John Carman, told Newsday. "While they process what has occurred, they are concerned for the young woman involved.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org.