The cause of death of motocross champion Aidan Zingg, 16, has been revealed.
Zingg, from Hemet, California, tragically died on June 28 as a result of injuries suffered in a crash while competing at Mammoth Mountain MX in his home state.
He was crowned a national champion in 2024, and was signed to Kawasaki’s young driver program amid a promising start to his career.
Tributes for the rising motocross star flooded in shortly after the tragic news broke and, now, it’s been revealed what exactly led to his untimely death.
Speaking to USA Today, the teen’s mother, Shari Zingg, told the outlet that her son died of ‘cardiac tamponade.’
Cardiac tamponade is described as a ‘medical emergency’ for a heart that has so much fluid around it that it can’t pump enough blood.
The cause of death of motocross champion Aidan Zingg, 16, has been revealed
Zingg had signed with Kawasaki for the 2025 racing season and was destined for big things
Meanwhile, initial reports that Zingg had been run over by other riders after falling from his bike was confirmed to be false.
The outlet further claim that an autopsy is being carried out by Mono County Sheriff’s Office.
The youngster is one of three motocross stars aged 16 or younger who have died in 2025.
In the days after his death Zingg’s sister, Alexandria, admitted she has been left ‘completely broken’ by the tragedy in a devastating tribute to her younger brother.
She wrote: ‘The things I could say. The stories I could tell. It’s been a day and I feel like it’s been a lifetime. My heart is completely broken.
‘You used to joke that I was so old and that I’d die first, I would always joke that you were crazy and you’d be the first. Now I’m sitting here wishing with everything that I am that you were right so I’d never have to live a day without you.
‘I have no idea what today, tomorrow, or the rest of my life looks like without you in it. I had everything planned. God had a different plan. I’ll forever find myself longing for that last hug, that last I love you that I never got. You are a light. The vibrancy to every color in my world.
‘I will forever see you in everything I do. Every time I step into the show pen it will be for you. I will work twice as hard, be twice as good, shine twice as bright, and it will never fill the space you’ve left but I will do my best to pick up where you left off.
The sister of rising motocross star Aidan Zingg previously shared a heartbreaking statement
‘I can’t believe you get to meet Jesus before me. Even now you’re still kicking my butt. I am so incredibly proud of you. You were so incredible that God only needed you here for 16 years to fulfill your purpose and He just couldn’t wait any longer to bring you home.
‘I could write a thousand more things to you, but I’ll save them for my prayers. I love you so much it’s unreal. Fly high but don’t go too far. I love love love you bud.’
The news of Zingg’s death was first shared online by fellow Motocross rider Kris Keefer, who posted a story about meeting the young rider to his Instagram page, adding: ‘Our hearts hurt so much for the Zingg family and they are heavy on our minds.
‘He impacted so many people because of the home he was built from and for the young man he was.’
Per reports, Zingg had recently qualified for the AMA Amateur Motocross National Championship for the seventh straight year, and was set to return after being crowned winner in the Supermini 2 (13-16) class in 2024.
He had signed with Team Green Kawasaki for the 2025 racing season and was set to make a big step up in his promising fledgling career.
