Track star Cameron Burrell, a former national champion 100-meter sprinter at the University of Houston and the son of Olympic gold medal-winning parents, died by suicide, according to TMZ Sports. He was 26.
The University of Houston announced that Burrell had passed away on Monday.
Records show he died by suicide after his body was inspected by a medical examiner this week. Burrell reportedly died due to a “gunshot wound of the head” in a Houston, Texas parking garage.
Burrell came from an iconic track and field family. His father was the former world record holder in the 100 meters and his mother, Michelle Finn-Burrell, won a sprint relay gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Spain. His aunt, Dawn Burrell, participated in the long jump at the 2000 Olympics in Australia. His godfather, Carl Lewis, won nine gold medals and is one of the most well-known athletes in history.
“My family is extremely saddened with the loss of our son, Cameron, last night. We are going through profound sorrow and ask that all of our friends, extended University of Houston family and the track and field community in the U.S. and abroad allow us to gather with our closest family and friends,” Burrell’s father and longtime Houston track and field coach Leroy Burrell said in a statement released Monday. “We are profoundly grief stricken and thank everyone for the outpouring of prayers and support. We will forward more information when it is available.”