Dave Mirra, a 41-year-old famous BMX bicycle star, was found dead on Thursday. Apparently, he committed suicide.
The once winner record for the most X Games medals was found dead in his truck in Greenville, North Carolina, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in the head, according to the police. Apparently, he had been visiting friends in the area. He left a wife and two daughters.
Allen Thomas, the mayor of Greenville, called Mirra “a great friend and wonderful human being.”
Many of his friends are mourning his death and expressed their feelings toward the star.
“Goodbye Dave Mirra, a true pioneer, icon and legend,” skateboarder, Tony Hawk, wrote. “Thank you for the memories… we are heartbroken.”
“I’m in complete shock,” Carey Hart, motocross and Pink’s husband, said via Twitter. “Angry, heartbroken and just sad at the passing of my friend Dave. Heartbroken 4 his daughters and wife. #DaveMirra.”
“I just wish he would have called me. 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,” Dave’s good friend and fellow BMX legend T.J. Lavin said.
“RIP Dave Mirra… Damn”, actor Miles Teller also expressed his shock.
“Rest in Peace Dave Mirra. Thank you for pushing the boundaries of what was possible. You are a legend,” Brian Kachinsky, another BMX mate, tweeted.
Many other stars like Jimmie Johnson and Lupe Fiasco also expressed their feelings about Mirra’s sad news.
Mirra accomplished to be one the most decorated athletes in the X Games history. He won 14 gold medals from 1995 to 2009, one medal per year.
His success led to numerous opportunities in the world of pop culture. He appeared on late night talk shows like The Late Show With David Letterman to show tricks and stunts, and starred in a series of video games named “Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX”. He also hosted two seasons of MTV’s ‘Real World/Road Rules Challenge’ tv show.
Source: US Magazine