Venezuelan Olympic cyclist Daniela Larreal Chirinos was found dead in her Las Vegas apartment on Friday, August 16.
The 50-year-old athlete is believed to have passed away as early as August 11.
Larreal’s colleagues at the hotel where she worked became concerned when she failed to report for duty and alerted authorities on August 12. Police officers subsequently discovered her body at her residence.
According to the UK’s Mail Online, initial investigations suggest Larreal died from asphyxiation, with a post-mortem examination reportedly revealing solid food particles in her windpipe. However, the official cause of death is still pending confirmation.
A prominent figure in Venezuelan cycling, Larreal represented her country at five Olympic Games from 1992 to 2012, earning four diplomas in track cycling.
She achieved notable success in regional competitions, including a silver medal at the 1990 Central American Games, two silvers at the 2003 Pan American Games, and three golds and a silver at the 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games.
