We've got a little more complete report from one of the local papers where Colin lived.....
BMX rider Winkelmann found dead at his home
By The Daily Reflector
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Greenville police are investigating the death of professional freestyle
BMX rider Colin Winkelmann, who was found at his home on Thursday, apparently from suicide.
Police were called to the Cedar Lane home at 3:29 p.m. According to a
report, Tuesday was the last time Winkelmann, 29, was known to have been contacted.
On Friday, a flower memorial honoring Winkelmann sat in front of his home
on Cedar Lane.
Winkelmann was best known throughout the BMX world as a rider that was willing to try any stunt, often times risking serious injury. In 2001, he
etched his name in the Guinness Book of World Records by jumping 13 SUVs on his bike, a distance of 116 feet, 11 inches.The former X Games and Gravity Games participant had been recovering from serious injuries sustained during a crash in July of 2004 during a best-trick contest at Motocross superstar Travis Pastrana's home. In that crash, Winkelmann broke both ankles, fractured his L3 vertebra, broke bones in his wrist and dislocated it as well. He also dislocated his ankle and dislocated his right foot, which had to be pinned in two spots.
He had recently returned to riding conservatively and was scheduled to
appear at the DK Bicycles Day at the Flow on Sunday in Columbus, Ohio. It was to be a homecoming of sorts for Winkelmann, who was born in Columbus. The event will proceed as originally scheduled, but will now close with a slideshow capturing some of Winkelmann's best moments riding for DK, a company for which he also designed bicycle parts. Earlier this year, Winkelmann launched his own bike components company named Circus, which he said he hoped would provide him a future in the sport after his riding days were over.
His best finish in X Games came in 2001, when he placed fifth in the
freestyle park competition. In 2000, he earned fourth place in the Gravity
Games park contest.
