BMX rider Dave Mirra dies at 41 of apparent suicide

GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Police say veteran X Games biker Dave Mirra has died in North Carolina. He was 41.

Greenville police said Thursday night that Mirra's body was found earlier in the day with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Authorities say they responded to an apparent suicide and discovered his body in a truck. They say he had been visiting friends in the area.

Greenville Mayor Allen Thomas today called Mirra "more than a sports figure. He's a loving member of this community, and that remains."

Thomas said he had talked with Mirra for about 20 minutes outside a restaurant just hours before he died. Mirra had some exciting things he wanted to plan for children in Greenville, the mayor said.

Thomas said while Mirra was known around the world, to many in Greenville he was "just a dad, just a friend."

Police Chief Mark Holtzman said the medical examiner on the scene said everything appeared to be consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The chief said as far as the investigation was concerned, the facts had not changed since Thursday.