UPDATE 10:55 am. PST Feb 5, 2016: “Dave’s wife and family are shocked and saddened by the loss of such a remarkable person whom they loved so deeply,” the Mirra family said in a statement. “Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers and for respecting their privacy through this difficult time.“
ORIGINALLY: Dave Mirra, BMX champion and host of MTV’s “The Challenge” reality series, has died.
The 41-year-old athlete and TV personality was found in his truck in North Carolina of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Greenville, NC Police Department.
“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,” said Greenville mayor Allen Thomas in a statement. “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.”
Greenville is known as Protown in the BMX community since Mirra moved there in the 1990s, and has become a major hub for the sport, with over 20 drivers calling the NC city home.
The Greenville PD is handling the death investigation.
Mirra medaled in every X Games since the event’s inception in 1995 through 2008, and was the record holder for most medals ever held until Bob Burnquist surpassed him in 2013.
Mirra hosted two seasons of MTV’s reality competition series “The Challenge” and also appeared on the network’s “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory.”
“MTV sends their deepest condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time,” the network said Thursday in a statement.