BMX Legend Dave Mirra Found Dead In Apparent Suicide

Police said Mirra was found dead in a truck Thursday after apparently shooting himself.

Gerry Broome / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dave Mirra, who held the world record for most X Games medals until 2013, was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Thursday, police said.

The body of the 41-year-old was discovered inside a truck Thursday afternoon in Greenville, North Carolina. Police said Mirra had been visiting friends in the area.

Mirra was originally from Chittenango, New York, but moved to Greenville in the 1990s and was influential in turning it into what is now called "Protown" because so many professional BMX riders have come out of the area.

Greenville Mayor Allen Thomas mourned the loss of Mirra in 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," Thomas said. "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."

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

Mirra holds 24 medals for the X Games, which made him the world record holder until 2013, when Bob Burnquist tied his medal count.

In 2000, he became the first park rider to land a double backflip during a competition, according to his website.

Along with his successful BMX career, Mirra hosted two seasons of MTV's Real World/Road Rules Challenge as well as being featured in his namesake video game.

In 2007, Mirra started his own bike company called MirraCo.

Mirra is survived by his wife, Lauren Blackwell Mirra, and two children.

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