Major update in alleged Olympian killer case

The final charges against Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis have been set following months of police investigations and negotiations between prosecutors and his defence team over the death of his wife and fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins.

Mr Dennis will answer to cause death by dangerous driving and aggravated driving without due care charges in the alleged killing of Ms Hoskins.

Police allege she was struck by a dark grey Volkswagen Amarok driven by Mr Dennis about 8pm outside the couple’s plush Medindie home in Adelaide’s inner north on December 30, 2023.

Mr Dennis was slapped with the same charges before his first court appearance in March and they were reaffirmed at Tuesday’s charge determination hearing at Adelaide Magistrates Court.

Jessica Kurtzer, appearing for Mr Dennis, asked for 12 weeks for her client to determine his pleas.

Magistrate John Wells accepted the request and set down October 30 for Mr Dennis to answer the charges.

If found guilty, the champion cyclist faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

Mr Dennis, dressed in a sharp business suit, stood quietly throughout proceedings and declined to make any comment as he left the court and got into a waiting car.

Police have completed a major crash reconstruction report into the incident.

Ms Hoskins, 32, suffered serious injuries in the crash and paramedics took her to Royal Adelaide Hospital for further treatment. She died at the hospital.

Police arrested and charged Mr Dennis that weekend.

“Major Crash officers attended the scene along with detectives from Eastern District CIB to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the police said the following day.

“Following an investigation, a 33-year-old Medindie man has been arrested and charged.”

Mr Dennis’s change of fortune has been swift and shocking.

Just three years ago, he stood on a podium in Tokyo and celebrated his place in sporting history as an individual Olympic medallist.

He first achieved fame at the 2012 London Olympics, nabbing a silver medal in the 4000m team pursuit on the cycling track.

At Brazil in 2016, he finished in fifth place in the individual time trial, but perhaps his crowning achievement is his bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics on July 28, 2021.

In memorable scenes at the Fuji International Speedway, he clinched the medal with a time of 56:08.09.

Speaking at the time, Mr Dennis said he had done “everything possible” to take home the gold.

“Obviously would’ve been great to get the gold but I’ve done everything possible to be in this position and I was just beaten by two better guys on the day, so can be proud of everything myself and the team have achieved,” he said.

In 2017, he became engaged to Ms Hoskins, a fellow Olympian.

Ms Hoskins competed in the London and Rio Olympics in track cycling.

She only just missed out on a medal in London, finishing fourth in the 3000m team pursuit category.

In Rio, she finished fifth position in the 4000m team pursuit.

In 2018, the pair married, and would settle into a leafy home in Adelaide’s up-market Medindie with their two children.

In 2022, Mr Dennis won a gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in the UK.

In 2023, he retired from cycling, thanking Ms Hoskins for her support in a heartfelt post to social media.

“Thank you Melissa Dennis for supporting me throughout my entire professional career, all while raising two of the best kids I could ever ask for,” he said.

Melissa’s father Peter, mother Amanda and sister Jessica released a statement on January 2 expressing their heartache at her death.

“Words cannot convey our grief, sadness and the tragic circumstances of Melissa’s passing,” Mr Hoskins wrote on behalf of the family.

“Myself, Amanda, Jess and families are utterly devastated and still struggling to process what has happened.

“Not only have we lost a daughter and sister, her children have lost their mum, a freewheeling spirit, a giver with a big heart, patience and zest for life.

“She was the rock of their life and ours and we need to honour her memory so they can grow up knowing who she was, what she stood for and what she gave to everyone whose life she touched.

“The outpouring of sadness and support has overwhelmed us. In her short life Melissa has had so many positive touch points in and around the world.”

Hundreds of mourners gathered to farewell the world-class cyclist at a public service in Adelaide on February 24.