David Michael "Dave" Mirra was an American BMX rider who later competed at rallycross racing. He held the record for most X Games medals until being passed by Bob Burnquist in 2013.
On Thursday February 4th, Dave took his own life by shooting himself in the head in an SUV while parked outside the home of his best friend, Scott Ashton in Greenville, North Carolina. This was just within days of his 10th wedding anniversary. He was just 41 years old. He left behind a wife and two daughters.
Dave Mirra had a rough time finding purpose when his BMX career ended ... he tried filling the void by helping kids ... but it wasn't enough.
Friends of Dave tell us ... in the months before his suicide, he spent his time introducing kids in the Greenville, North Carolina area to extreme sports, such as speed cycling and biking.
Problem was ... the 41-year-old couldn't find anything in his life to even approximate the adrenaline rush he got from BMX. He knew working with kids was important, but the passion he felt while he competed just wasn't there, and it became a significant factor in his deep depression.
We're told Dave tried to convince himself working with kids could be as satisfying as BMX, and from time to time his outlook would brighten. In fact, we're told just hours before he fatally shot himself, he saw someone at lunch and talked about plans to bring a speed cycling track to Greenville.
The friend with whom we spoke said the recurring theme from Dave was that he felt lost.
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