Dave Mirra, X Games Legend, Dies At 41 In Apparent Suicide

Dave Mirra, the X Games Star and Real World/Road Rules Challenge Host, has died in an apparent suicide. He was 41.

Dave Mirra Suicide

Mira was found dead of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Thursday in Greenville, N.C., reported the Houston Chronicle. He was discovered in a parked truck not far from his high school, according to the Greenville Police Department. It’s unknown if Mirra had a history of depression.

Prior to his death Thursday, Mirra had taken to Instagram, posting a tribute to his wife, and another picture of a plaque from his high school. “My rock! Thank god,” the BMX athlete captioned the photo of him and his wife. He captioned the nostalgic snap of the plaque, “Rose high school Greenville Nc.”

Upon learning of Mirra’s death, his friend and fellow X Game star Carey Hart took to Twitter to mourn his loss, writing, “I’m in complete shock. Angry, heart broken and just sad at the passing of my friend Dave. Heart broken 4 his daughters and wife.”

Mira was a living legend in extreme sports, collecting 24 total medals in the X Games, 14 of which were gold. He parlayed his success in the Games into video game Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX, and a pair of seasons hosting MTV’s Real World/ Road Rules Challenge.

ESPN, which broadcasts the X Games, remembered Mirra in a statement. “Dave Mirra, your courage, determination and natural skill in everything you pursued pushed the world of action sports to become a better place.,” the statement read. “From all of us at X Games and ESPN, we salute your contributions.”

Mirra is survived by his wife Lauren, and daughters Mackenzie and Madison.