45°
The girl's father had brought them videos and photos of “inappropriate sexual activity” between his daughter and Goodall, 32, that he'd found on her phone, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said in an Aug. 1 release.
The youngster had been a student at Goodall’s gym, Venom Fitness in Osprey, FL, the release says.
Detectives seized all of Goodall's electronic devices as the investigation began, a family friend told Daily Voice. That apparently was the tipping point, she said.
According to the sheriff's office: “After reviewing text messages sent to the minor, detectives determined probable cause existed to charge Goodall with three counts of sexual battery by a person in a position of custodial authority.
“As Manatee County Sheriff’s Office investigators attempted to make contact with Goodall at his residence (in Lakewood Ranch) on Friday evening (July 28), they discovered him deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” it says.
Although Goodall is dead, the sheriff’s office said it will investigate any allegations brought by other potential victims.
Goodall, known as “Venom,” taught bodybuilding, boxing and jiu-jitsu at the Osprey site and, before then, at Venom Fitness in Wyckoff, NJ, which closed during the COVID pandemic.
He was also featured as a personal trainer on “Real Housewives of New Jersey,” having trained Danielle Staub, Lauren Manzo and Ashlee Malleo.
Goodall, who was born in Jersey City and grew up in New Milford, lived with his fiancé, North Jersey native Gabrielle Hayward, and their 2-year-old son, Tyson.
In addition to training, Goodall was also undefeated as a boxer with Top Rank, winning his first three matches at the Prudential Center in Newark and Madison Square Garden.
Bullied as a youngster, Goodall began boxing at 7 years old. He got his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Berkeley College in Woodland Park in 2011.
Boxing, he once said, was the "the single most exhilarating experience" of his life.
"Being in the ring, putting your life on the edge, teaches you a thing or two about who you are and how fragile and precious life is," he said during an interview that was published in the Times of Israel in July 2021. " Yet despite injuries, I never wanted to back down."
Goodall was only 23 when he built the first Venom Fitness in Sarasota, FL, in 2013. He opened the Wyckoff gym two years later and one in Osprey, FL in 2019.
Goodall became a father in December 2020.
COVID had forced the Wyckoff and Sarasota gyms closed by then, but Goodall and his team provided online workouts.
Things turned with an accusation that Goodall had an affair with a 14-year-old student at Venom Fitness in Osprey.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that they were investigating Goodall after the victim's father reported finding both videos and photos of the two on the child's phone.
Detectives seized all of Goodall's electronic devices as the investigation began, a family friend told Daily Voice. That apparently was the tipping point, she said.
Sheriff's detectives said went to Goodall's home to arrest him and found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Fellow trainer Adam Williams called Goodall "a true man's man" and said he'll be "forever grateful for his mentorship and guidance during a very difficult transitionary moment in my life."
"I moved halfway across the world to work with him SIGHT UNSEEN (we had never met in person)," Williams wrote in a Facebook post, "and he held up his end of the bargain."
"He ALWAYS had my back. He ALWAYS looked out for me. He was the ONE person who could truly get through to me when I really needed it," Williams added. "I will always love him for that power he had to correct, encourage and give respect (the three critical components of mentorship)."
Many looked to comfort Goodall's mother, Bergen County native Dakota "Debra Daub" Yaniero.
"We are all devastated and numb," she told them.
"I did my best to raise a wonderful and strong loving young man," Yaniero wrote. "I believe I did that and I know I have by all the many many wonderful people that would always approach me and compliment me on what a beautiful and kind loving young man my son Darren Goodall is. Now was."
"I always told you that you are my HERO," she wrote in a personal Facebook message to Darren. "Even in heaven you will be my HERO son !! I love you and I will miss you, until we meet again one fine day."
Yaniero's friend, Elaine Muhammad, also loved Goodall deeply.
"He had such an amazing personality, such a bright future," Muhammad wrote. "I saw him go through so many things. He weathered them like the champ that he was.
"With the beautiful Gabrielle Hayward at his side, I saw him become the most amazing father."
"You always think that you know what someone is going through and of just what they are or are not capable of doing," Muhammad noted. "The truth is that you never know.
"So tell your loved ones every day that you love them. Most importantly ask them how they are doing, do they want to talk, hug them as if today is the last time that you will see them."
******
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) offers 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at: 988lifeline.org.
******
Click here to follow Daily Voice Highland Lakes-Vernon and receive free news updates.
