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BMX rider and triathlete Dave Mirra passes away

February 5, 2016
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On Thursday, it was announced that famous BMX rider turned triathlete, Dave Mirra, passed away at age 41. According to reports, the cause of death was suicide. Mirra died in Greenville, North Carolina, where he currently lived with his wife and children.

Police found Mirra in a truck with a self-inflicted gun shot. He had been visiting friends in the area at the time.

Mirra was an accomplished BMX rider and one of the most decorated X Games athletes. He took up triathlon after retiring from his professional BMX career and became a well-known figure in the triathlon community. Born in Syracuse, New York, he chose Ironman 70.3 Syracuse as first triathlon, where he finished fourth in his age category. After falling in love with the sport, he raced several other half and full distance events, including the 2014 Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Mont-Tremblant. In the last few years, he had his sights set on qualifying for Kona. He was an inspiration to many in both the cycling and triathlon worlds.

Members of the triathlon community and beyond expressed their condolences to Mirra’s family over social media. Greenville mayor, Allen Thomas, also made a statement. “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,” he said.