Shock details of how Olympian Melissa Dennis was ‘run down and killed by cyclist husband’ emerge…along with tragic pic
FORMER star cyclist Rohan Dennis shared a heartbreaking tribute to his family days before he allegedly hit and killed his wife with his car.
It is alleged Melissa Dennis, who is also a retired professional cyclist and Olympian, jumped onto the car bonnet and grabbed at a door handle before she died, according to local reports.
InstagramRohan Dennis’ heartbreaking final photo shared to social media features his late wife and their two children[/caption]
Police officers were seen inspecting a dark grey Amarok V6 W-series pick-up truck after the tragic crash
AFPAustralian cyclist Rohan Dennis was allegedly behind the wheel of the pick-up truck that hit Melissa[/caption]
The ex-world champion was arrested and is facing serious criminal charges in Australia after allegedly continuing to drive the vehicle until she fell to the ground.
Police believe Dennis, 33, struck his wife Melissa, 32, with his dark grey Volkswagen Amarok V6 pick-up truck on a leafy street in the affluent inner-northern Adelaide suburb of Medindie about 8pm on Saturday.
It is alleged she may have been dragged some distance, reports Adelaide Now.
A pair of teenage neighbours are said to have tried to save her life by administering first aid before paramedics arrived at the scene.
Melissa was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where she died hours later as a result of her catastrophic injuries.
Police investigations are ongoing, with officers reportedly seen checking under the parked car as fingerprint dust was observed on the car’s bonnet.
Dennis was reportedly arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care, and endangering life.
He was bailed to appear at Adelaide Magistrates Court in March.
The pair of famed cyclists married in 2018 and shared two children.
Dennis posted a devastating final picture to Instagram seven days ago, just before tragedy struck, which featured his own, Melissa’s, and their children’s smiling faces.
The four family members stood in front of a Christmas tree as they beamed at the camera.
Dennis wrote in the caption: “Merry Christmas from our family to yours.”
The picture has been flooded with comments from devastated family, friends, and members of the public in the days since Melissa’s tragic passing.
One user wrote: “I’m so sorry for your loss mate, the whole of Australia is. Sending love to you and your family in this dark time.”
Another said: “Sorry for your loss. Such a tragedy. Wish you and your children all the best.
“Hope you find peace with yourself. Wish you the strenght (sic) to stay strong and not paying attention to the negative comments.”
Someone else commented: “Stay strong Rohan, your kids need you. God is near the broken hearted.”
While another said: “In shock. Please give the family some privacy at this disturbing time. Sincere condolences to them all.”
Just two weeks prior, Dennis shared another picture of him and Melissa grinning ear to ear while sitting in the rear of a car.
He captioned the image: “I finally did it, I finally made @melissamdennis lose the plot. #lifegoalachieved #preweddingpic NOT OURS.”
Melissa was more private on social media and her Instagram account is not visible to the public.
The bio on her still-active account reads: “Wife and Mum. Lover of family, food, travel and wine.”
InstagramRohan Dennis, right, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care, and endangering life[/caption]