Lance Darren Goodall Jr., a 32-year-old celebrity gym trainer and Jiu-Jitsu coach, died by suicide on July 28, 2023, in Florida. Goodall was originally from Teaneck, New Jersey, and was known for training some of the cast members of the reality TV show "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," including Danielle Staub, Lauren Manzo, and Ashlee Malleo.
The incident occurred during an investigation into allegations of sexual activity with a minor.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office reported that the father of a 14-year-old student at Goodall's gym, Venom Fitness in Osprey, Florida, discovered text messages, photos, and videos of inappropriate sexual acts involving his child and Goodall on the child's phone. This led investigators to determine they had probable cause to charge Goodall with three counts of sexual battery by a person in a position of custodial authority.
When investigators from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office went to Goodall's home to make contact with him, they found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to the investigation, the inappropriate relationship between Goodall and the minor began in August 2022 and involved multiple instances of oral sex. Goodall had expressed fears of losing custody of his son if the relationship was discovered and had threatened to commit suicide if he was caught.
Goodall had a significant presence in the fitness community, having opened Venom Fitness in Wyckoff, New Jersey, in 2015, although the gym closed in 2020. He was also known for his work as a personal trainer and had received public acknowledgments from some of his celebrity clients.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the case and has encouraged anyone with information or who may have been a victim to contact Detective Taylor Garrison.
