Prosecutors have announced that charges have been filed against former Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis in connection with the death of his wife and fellow Olympian, Melissa Hoskins, who passed away last year.
Authorities claim that Dennis, 34, recklessly hit the 32-year-old mother of two while driving a utility vehicle in front of their residence in Medindie, located in Adelaide’s inner north, on December 30.
Ms. Hoskins was quickly transported to the Royal Adelaide Hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries later that night.
During a charge determination hearing at the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, prosecutor Talia Costi confirmed that law enforcement will move forward with charges against Dennis for causing death by dangerous driving and for driving without due care.
Dennis appeared in court wearing a tailored business suit, remaining silent throughout the proceedings as he departed the court and entered a waiting vehicle.
Ms. Hoskins was laid to rest in her hometown of Perth, with a public memorial service held in Adelaide in February to commemorate what would have been her 33rd birthday.
Since his arrest, Dennis has been released on bail.
Charges have been confirmed against Rohan Dennis (pictured) over his wife’s death
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment
Dennis is scheduled to appear in court again on October 30 to respond to the charges.
Should he be found guilty, the former champion cyclist could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Dennis’s rapid decline from glory is both startling and tragic.
Just three years prior, he proudly stood on a podium in Tokyo, celebrating his achievement as an individual Olympic medalist.
His rise to fame began at the 2012 London Olympics, where he earned a silver medal in the 4000m team pursuit.
In the 2016 Rio Olympics, he finished in fifth place in the individual time trial, but his most notable accomplishment came with a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics on July 28, 2021.
He earned this medal at the Fuji International Speedway with a time of 56:08.09.
Dennis and Ms Hoskins were both world-class athletes. Picture: Instagram
Dennis shows off his bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Picture: Tim de Waele/Getty Images
At the time, Dennis expressed that he had done ‘everything possible’ to achieve gold.
‘Of course, it would have been fantastic to win gold, but I did everything I could to be in this position. I was just outperformed by two better athletes that day, so I can take pride in everything my team and I accomplished,’ he remarked.
Dennis became engaged to Ms. Hoskins in 2017, who was also an Olympian.
Ms. Hoskins participated in both the London and Rio Olympics in track cycling.
She narrowly missed a medal in London, finishing fourth in the 3000m team pursuit.
In Rio, she placed fifth in the 4000m team pursuit.
The couple married in 2018 and settled in a picturesque home in Medindie with their two children.
In 2022, Dennis earned a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, UK.
He announced his retirement from cycling in 2023, expressing gratitude to Ms. Hoskins for her unwavering support in a heartfelt social media post.
‘Thank you Melissa Dennis for being my rock throughout my entire professional career, all while raising our two wonderful kids,’ he wrote.
In a statement released on January 2, Melissa’s father Peter, along with her mother Amanda and sister Jessica, shared their profound grief regarding her passing.
Friends and family attend a memorial service for Ms Hoskins at Adelaide Town Hall in February
‘Words cannot express our sorrow, grief, and the tragic circumstances surrounding Melissa’s untimely passing,’ Mr. Hoskins stated on behalf of the family.
‘Amanda, Jess, our families, and I are utterly heartbroken and still struggling to come to terms with what has transpired.
‘We have not only lost a daughter and sister; her children have lost their mother—a vibrant spirit, a generous individual with a big heart, patience, and a love for life.
‘Melissa was the cornerstone of our lives, and we are committed to honoring her legacy so that her children can grow up understanding who she was, what she stood for, and the impact she had on everyone she encountered.’
‘The overwhelming outpouring of sorrow and support has been humbling. In her brief life, Melissa made countless positive connections across the globe.’
Hundreds of mourners came together to pay their respects to the world-class cyclist at a public memorial in Adelaide on February 24.
