Legendary BMX star Dave Mirra died yesterday in North Carolina at age 41.  Greenville, NC police announced the X-Games gold medalist’s body was found in a truck, and his death is being treated as a suicide, as it appears to be the result of “an apparent self-influicted gunshot wound.” Mirra is survived by his wife and two children.

Greenville mayor Allen Thomas told the media, ““We mourn the loss today of a great friend and wonderful human being who touched the lives of so many around the world with his gift. He called Greenville, North Carolina home and was as humble a guy talking with kids on a street corner about bikes as he was in his element on the world stage. A young life with so much to offer was taken too soon.”

Mirra’s leaving behind a legacy, complete with 24 career gold medals between 1995 and 2008 — which as only recently beat by Bob Burnquist in 2013. This legacy was almost cut shirt early on in 1993 when he was hit and injured by a drunk driver, but through perseverance Mirra went on to become the biggest name in BMX.

Mirra gained some celebrity in the 2000’s, receiving his own video game on PlayStation in 2000, Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX, and hosting two seasons of MTV‘s Real World/Road Rules Challenge.
 

Many extreme sports pioneers have expressed their sorrows, including skateboard pioneer, Tony Hawk who posted on his Instagram yesterday:

Mirra’s good friend and fellow Real World/Road Rules Challenge host TJ Lavin also spoke released a statement. “I just wish he would have called me,” he told TMZ. “I would have jumped on a plane in a second. There’s always another way. If anyone needs help, just please get it. I feel sick about this.”

Rest in Peace Dave.

 

February 5, 2016