The father-in-law of Floyd Landis, the Tour de France winner, has committed suicide by shooting himself in the head, according to a coroner’s report.
The body of 57-year-old David Witt was discovered in his car in a parking garage in San Diego on Tuesday. He had a single gunshot wound in his head.
Although Witt was close to Landis, his death is not thought to be related to the cyclist’s positive test for testosterone which is likely to lead to the loss of his Tour title and a two-year suspension.
Witt was also a cyclist and introduced Landis to his stepdaughter, Amber. The two men shared an apartment in San Diego for a while and were best man at each other’s wedding.
“The Landis family is devastated by the news of David’s death,” said Michael Henson, a spokesman for Floyd Landis. “They loved him dearly and they miss him. They hope that their privacy is respected in this time of mourning.”
Advertisement
Police said Witt, of La Mesa, California, was discovered at 3.05pm and rushed to hospital but died of the single gunshot wound about seven hours after he was found.
Landis won the Tour de France title last month but failed both his A and B drug tests following his stage 17 ride. Phonak, his cycling team, fired him soon after and he now appears likely to be stripped of his crown.
Witt, a San Diego restaurant owner with his wife Rose, was at the finish line in Paris when Landis won the race.
Police said they were unaware of any suicide note left by him.