Las Vegas officials are looking into the death of a five-time Olympian from South America, who is said to have died due to asphyxiation from choking on food at her residence.

Daniela Larreal Chirinos, a celebrated cyclist from Venezuela, was found deceased in her apartment on August 16, as reported by the authorities in Las Vegas.

The Clark County Coroner Medical Examiner’s office indicated to YSL News that the official determination of death was awaiting autopsy and toxicology results.

Stephanie Wheatley, a representative from the coroner’s office, stated that Chirinos was officially pronounced dead on August 15.

As translated from Spanish news outlet ABC, it was noted that the athlete, who had a job at a hotel in Las Vegas, went missing from work, prompting her colleagues to alert authorities on August 12.

While the official cause has not yet been disclosed, a report from Fox Sports mentioned that the Las Vegas Police Department informed them that her death was due to asphyxiation from food lodged in her trachea.

YSL News has contacted the police for further details.

Venezuela’s Olympic Committee: ‘Rest in peace’

The Venezuelan Olympic Committee honored Chirinos with a tribute on X on August 16.

“She had an impressive track cycling career, representing us honorably in five Olympic Games, earning four Olympic medals, and her successes were a source of immense pride for us,” the committee shared on their social media platform.

The accompanying photo shows the Olympian with her eyes shut, proudly displaying a medal while draped in her flag.

One caption in the post reads, “May she rest in peace.”

Who was Daniela Larreal Chirinos?

Chirinos, one of the most recognized athletes from Venezuela, last competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

She was known for her critical stance against the country’s controversial leader Nicolás Maduro and, at the time of her passing, ABC reported she was living in exile due to her dissent against the political regime.

Recently, Venezuelan officials proclaimed Maduro as the victor in the country’s presidential election, but so far, The Associated Press reports, no voting tallies have been released to validate his victory, leading to doubts regarding the election’s legitimacy.

The ongoing socioeconomic crisis and political turmoil in the nation have prompted widespread protests. Maduro, who took over from the late Hugo Chávez, who passed away from cancer in 2013, has been linked to radical shifts in the country’s governance that undermined democratic systems.

Contributions by: Isabel C. Morales