Family, friends and sports fans are mourning the death of BMX champion Dave Mirra, who has died at the age of 41 from an apparent suicide. Retired racer Carey Hart, husband of singer Pink, was among those leading the tributes to the X Games icon, tweeting: "I'm in complete shock. Angry, heartbroken and just sad at the passing of my friend Dave. Heartbroken 4 his daughters and wife. #DaveMirra. "Dave was a one of the most celebrated names in X Games, an annual extreme sports event. He won a medal every year from 1995 until 2008, picking up 14 golds. His one-time record of 24 career medals was only broken in 2013 by Bob Burnquist, and Shaun White is the only athlete with more X Games gold medals than him.
© Photo: Getty ImagesDave Mirra has died at the age of 41 after taking his own life
He was also an accomplished rally driver, competed in Ironman competitions and triathlons, and hosted MTV's Real World/Road Rules Challenge.Greenville police confirmed on Thursday night that his body had been found earlier in the day. Authorities responded to reports of an apparent suicide and found Dave's body in a truck. "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," said the Greenville mayor, Allen Thomas.
Dave was married to wife Lauren Blackwell Mira, with who he had two daughters. Hours before taking his own life, the star took to Instagram sharing throwback photos of himself in high school and paid tribute to his wife. "My rock! Thank God," he captioned a photograph of the pair together.
