McKayla Maroney Mourns Father's Death 9 Months After Larry Nassar Sex Assault Scandal
Jan. 16 2019, Updated 3:18 p.m. ET
Retired U.S. Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney has lost her father, Mike Maroney, just nine months after enduring a very public sexual assault scandal regarding her former physician.
As RadarOnline.com readers recall, Mike, 59, was right by McKayla's side when she bravely spoke out against her sick abuser, Dr. Larry Nassar, along with hundreds of his other female victims.
In a devastating Twitter post, the athlete revealed her father died this Tuesday, January 15, in the early morning. His cause of death is still unclear at this time.
"Love u dad. I can't believe it's real. I don't want to. I'll miss you forever. Rest in peace," McKayla, 23, wrote alongside a sweet photo of her embracing her beloved parent. "You were the most incredible dad."
Her brother, Kav Maroney, also shared a heartbreaking tribute to Mike.
"Dad you taught me everything from how to walk to how to be a man and for that I thank you," he captioned a photo of him, McKayla, Mike and the rest of their family shopping for a Christmas tree.
"Thank you for getting up at 4:30am for work and not coming home till 7 pm everyday for more then 20 years just to keep food on the table, and for us to have a great life. I'm the man of the house now and I promise to hold everything down. I promise. I love you and miss you i sic will live to make you proud till The day i sic get to see you again. I love you dad," he continued in his Instagram post.
As RadarOnline.com readers recall, McKayla first made headlines in 2012 when she won the gold medal at the summer Olympics at just 16 years old.
In April 2018, she became one of the first accusers to come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against former U.S. Gymnastics doctor Nassar, 55. She, along with various of her teammates, claimed the shamed physician abused her during her years of Olympic training.
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February 5, 2018, Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 125 years in prison for three counts of criminal sexual assault.
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