GREENVILLE, N.C. — Police in North Carolina stated Thursday that BMX icon Dave Mirra was found dead in an “apparent suicide.”
According to a press release posted on the Greenville Police Department’s Facebook page, officers responded to a call Thursday evening and found Mirra, 41 of Greenville, in his truck dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“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,” Greenville Mayor Allen Thomas stated in the press release. “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.”
The press release states Mirra was considered an icon in the BMX world and that he was instrumental in bringing the sport to Greenville, which is home to numerous professional BMX riders.
Mirra is survived by his wife and two children.
Police described the incident as an apparent suicide and stated the family is requesting privacy at this time.
The press release encourages anyone who is having suicidal thoughts to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
