The family of Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins released a statement following her death.
On Sunday, Australian Olympic Committee announced that the 32-year-old former world champion had died after being hit by a car in Adelaide on Saturday.
Her husband, former Olympian and world cycling champion Rohan Dennis, was arrested and charged with her death.
“Words cannot express our grief, sorrow and the tragic circumstances of Hoskins’ death,” read a statement from Hoskins’ parents and sister. “Myself, Amanda, Jess and the families are absolutely devastated and are still struggling to come to terms with what happened.”
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“Not only did we lose our daughter and sister, her children lost their mother, a free-spirited, giver of a big heart, patience and will to live,” the statement continued.
They added that Hoskins was the “rock” of her loved ones’ lives and that “her memory should be honored” so that her children “grow up knowing who she was, what she stood for and what she gave to all whose lives she touched.”
The family also said they had been overwhelmed by an “outpouring of grief and support”.
“In her short life, Melissa had so many positive touches in and around the world,” they continued, before declaring that her funeral will be held in her hometown of Perth, while her memorial service will be in Adelaide “following the tour Down Under”. ,” the upcoming cycling race that will take place from January 16 to 20.
“We must now deal with our grief privately and will not be making any further comments,” the statement said. “We ask the media to respect our privacy and the privacy of Melissa’s children.”
On Sunday, Australian television channel ABC reported that Hoskins’ husband, 33, had been charged in her death.
Melissa Hoskins and husband Rohan Dennis.
Melissa Hopkins Instagram
In a press release, SA Police said the 32-year-old woman, who “suffered serious injuries,” died overnight at the Royal Adelaide Hospital as the 33-year-old driver, who was “known to the woman,” was “arrested and after investigation accused of the criminal offense of causing death by dangerous driving, carelessness and endangering life.
“He has been released on bail to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on March 13,” the statement added.
When reached for comment on Monday, a spokesperson for SA Police told PEOPLE that police are “unable to confirm identities in SA.” A contact listed on Dennis’ website did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Dennis and Hoskins married in 2018. Both were retired Olympians with two children. His last Instagram post before Hoskins’ death was a family photo he shared on Dec. 24. “Merry Christmas from our family to yours,” he captioned a photo of the family of four posing in front of a decorated tree.
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Source: HIS Education