Sporting celebrity couple tragedy shocks Australia: How a world champion cyclist was ‘dragged along to her death by her Olympic star husband’s car’ as he is charged with killing his wife outside their home
Known as Australia's top sporting couple with a string of awards to their name, they were ready to embark on the next phase of their lives together.
But the marriage of Rohan Dennis, 33, and his 32-year-old wife Melissa Hoskins turned into tragedy after the world champion cyclist was allegedly dragged under her Olympic star husband's car.
Rohan Dennis, 33, has been charged with causing the death of Melissa Hoskins, 32, after she was hit near the couple's home in Medindie, South Australia, by a car that police said was driven by her husband on Saturday was controlled.
Hoskins became world team pursuit champion in 2015 and competed at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, her cyclist husband won the UCI men's individual time trial world championships in 2018 and 2019 before announcing his decision to retire this year. He began his career as part of the Australian team that won the silver medals in the team pursuit at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Dennis was arrested Sunday and charged in his wife's death. The couple married in 2018 and have two children.
The mother allegedly jumped on the bonnet of the couple's $70,000 Volkswagen Amarok Highline car and grabbed the door handle before the vehicle was driven away and she fell to the ground.
Hoskins was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital where she tragically died after being hit outside the house on Avenel Gardens Road.
Rohan Dennis, 33, (left) has been charged with causing the death of his wife Melissa Hoskins, 32, (right) after she was struck near the couple's home in Medindie, South Australia on Saturday.
World champion cyclist Dennis is released on bail after being accused of causing the death of his Olympian wife
Hoskins (right) is seen as part of the Australian women's track cycling team in 2012
Dennis celebrates on the podium after winning the Elite Men's individual time trial at the 2019 UCI Road World Championships in Harrogate, Northern England
The couple married in 2018 and have two children
Friends said Hoskins and Dennis had been preparing for the next phase of their lives after retiring from professional sport and considering buying a vineyard in the Adelaide Hills.
Just days before Hoskins' death, the couple shared a family photo in front of a Christmas tree.
Dennis was seen grinning in the photo shared to Instagram as he posed with Hoskins and their two young children.
“Merry Christmas from our family to yours,” he wrote in the caption.
And just two weeks ago, Dennis posted a photo of himself and his wife laughing in a car on the way to a wedding.
“I finally did it, I finally made @melissmdennis lose the plot #lifegoalachieved,” the caption read.
Now the man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, careless driving and endangering lives. He was released on bail and reappeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in March.
A pair of teenage neighbors had attempted to administer first aid to Hoskins before paramedics arrived on the scene Saturday.
It is also alleged that the mother may have been dragged by the vehicle, with the incident captured on neighbours' security cameras.
Ms Hoskins' parents said they are still trying to come to terms with their horrific loss.
“Words cannot convey our grief, sorrow and the tragic circumstances of Melissa's death,” they said in a statement.
Friends said Hoskins and Dennis had been preparing for the next phase of their lives after retiring from professional sports
Dennis of Australia poses with his medal after the men's cycling individual time trials at the Commonwealth Games in West Park, Wolverhampton, England, on August 4, 2022
The couple retired from professional sport and had apparently considered buying a vineyard in the Adelaide Hills
Hoskins was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital where she tragically died after being struck by the vehicle
The couple have two young children and married in 2018
Hoskins became world team pursuit champion in 2015 and competed at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Ms Hoskins' parents said they are still trying to come to terms with their horrific loss
'Myself, Amanda, Jess and my families are devastated and still struggling to come to terms with what has happened.
'Not only have we lost a daughter and sister, her children have also lost their mother, a free spirit, a giver with a big heart, patience and zest for life.
“She was the rock of their lives and ours, and we must honor her memory so they can grow up knowing who she was, what she stood for and what she gave to all whose lives she touched.”
They added that Ms Hoskins' funeral will take place in Perth with a memorial service in Adelaide after the Tour Down Under.
'We must now process our grief privately and will make no further comment. We ask the media to respect our privacy and that of Melissa's children,” the statement said.
AusCycling CEO Marne Fechner paid tribute to Hoskins, adding that the sport's governing body in Australia would “determine an appropriate way to commemorate her and her contribution to our sport in the coming days.”
Fechner added: “Melissa, a mother, daughter and wife, was also a champion cyclist who thrilled and inspired us with her outstanding skills on the track and on the road.
'Melissa described her gold medal in the team pursuit at the 2015 UCI Track World Championships as the highlight of her career, but for the rest of us the highlight was simply having her there.'