Rising motocross star Aidan Zingg’s cause of death has been revealed.
Aidan’s mother, Shari Zingg, told USA TODAY on Friday, July 11, that the 16-year-old athlete died from “cardiac tamponade.” The Cleveland Clinic describes the condition as a “medical emergency” when a heart has so much fluid around it that it can’t pump enough blood.
The outlet reported that the Mono County Sheriff’s Office is conducting Aidan’s autopsy and did not have any further information. “The family has the same if not more information, then we have,’’ Sarah Roberts, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office, told USA TODAY.
Shari did not give the outlet any further details. Aidan’s death is being investigated by the Mammoth Lakes Police Department.
In June, Aidan was competing in the 2025 Mammoth Motocross event in Mammoth Lakes, California, when he was involved in a reported mid-race accident.
“I’ve been told that he suffered fatal injuries at Mammoth MX today,” motocross journalist Donn Maeda wrote via Instagram at the time. “My heart goes out to the Zingg family. I can’t even fathom what they’re feeling. Rest easy, buddy. 🙏🏼.”
Outlet DirtbikeLover claimed Aidan “went down in a corner during a race” and “was reportedly run over by multiple bikes” after the incident. He allegedly “remained unconscious on the track for two laps before the race was red flagged.”
Us Weekly reached out to Mammoth Lakes Police Department for comment at the time.
After news broke of Aidan’s death, sister Alexandria Zingg paid tribute to him via social media. In her post, Alexandria, 18, shared a carousel of photos with Aidan including him sporting his motocross gear and spending time with family.
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“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,” she wrote. “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.”
Alexandria shared that she will “forever” find herself “longing for that last hug, that last I love you that I never got.”
“I could write a thousand more things to you, but I’ll save them for my prayers,” she concluded. “I love you so much it’s unreal. Fly high but don’t go too far. I love love love you bud. #rideforaidan #aidanzingg #rideforaidan39.”