BMX pro Dave Mirra was found dead inside his car in Greenville, North Carolina, on Thursday, February 4. He was 41.
According to local police, the athlete, who also hosted two seasons of MTV’s Real World/Road Rules Challenge and once held the record for the most X Games medals, was found inside his truck with apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the head. TMZ was first to report the news.
An Instagram photo of himself and his wife, Lauren, appeared on his account just hours before his death. “My rock! Thank god,” the caption read.
“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,” Allen Thomas, the Mayor of Greenville, said in a statement via ABC 27 on Thursday.
Greenville, North Carolina, is known as “Protown” in the BMX community because of the number of athletes who reside there.
According to the news site, the Greenville Police Department is currently investigating the death.
Mirra is survived by his wife and two kids.
If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you are encouraged to seek help through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-TALK.