Rohan Dennis’ children heard crying on Tuesday after the Olympian was charged with killing wife Melissa Hoskins
The cries of cycling stars Melissa Hoskins’ and Rohan Dennis’ young children have been heard at their luxury home – as their dad is yet to make a statement.
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The cries of cycling stars Melissa Hoskins’ and Rohan Dennis’ young children were repeatedly heard on Tuesday at their Medindie home.
Their crying pierced the suburban quiet multiple times from the early morning into the afternoon, three days after Hoskins was killed when struck by a car allegedly driven by her husband on their street.
Dennis was allegedly at the wheel of his Volkswagen ute when Hoskins suffered fatal injuries in the incident on Saturday night, later dying in hospital.
He has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life over the crash and was bailed to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court on March 13.
Her family on Tuesday paid tribute to her in a heart-wrenching public statement.
“Words cannot convey our grief, sadness and the tragic circumstances of Melissa’s passing,” Ms Hoskins’ parents Peter and Amanda and sister Jess said in a statement issued through AusCycling.
The children were heard playing with Dennis on Tuesday morning in the backyard of the Avenel Gardens Rd home. But they were also heard crying several times.
A friend arrived just before 11.30am and stayed in the property with Dennis and his two children.
The friend later spoke to media and requested no footage of the children be captured as they prepared to leave the house in the afternoon.
The children were driven away in one car while Dennis left the property, driven in a separate car, a silver Toyota Tarago, about 20 minutes later just after 3pm.
As he left his property, Dennis did not respond to questions from reporters about what had happened on Saturday night or how he was feeling.
Hoskins’ family said they were “utterly devastated and still struggling to process what had happened”.
“Myself, Amanda, Jess and families, are utterly devastated and still struggling to process what has happened,” they said.
“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.
“The funeral will be held in Perth, her hometown, with a memorial service in Adelaide after the Tour Down Under.
“We now need to deal with our grief privately and will be making no further comments. We ask that media please respect our privacy and that of Melissa’s children.”
A man known to Mr Dennis, who was earlier seen at the home escorting Mr Dennis’ children, was seen leaving the property just before 4.30pm.
He placed two small bikes in a black Land Cruiser Prado before driving away from the property.
He did not answer reporters’ questions.
Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard said Ms Hoskins’ death was a “devastating situation that is subject to an ongoing police investigation”.
“The department was notified through the mandatory reporting process and undertook an assessment,” Ms Hildyard said.
“I am advised the children are being supported by their grandparents and their safety remains the utmost priority.”
It comes after a man, aged in his 30s, carried a container full of food into the back entrance on Monday.
Mr Dennis’ parents, Brenton, 63, and Debbie, 62, were seen at their son’s home on Monday, leaving without comment in a Volkswagen sedan.
On Monday, The Advertiser revealed Hoskins was planning a life in the Hills as details emerged about the harrowing moments leading up to her death.
Friends told how the couple, who bought their $2.45m Medindie home in 2019 were planning their post-retirement life in South Australia.
This potentially involved launching their own Adelaide Hills vineyard.
The Advertiser understands police will allege Hoskins, also a retired professional cyclist and Olympian, jumped onto the car bonnet and then grabbed at a door handle.
Tributes continued to pour in across the globe from the cycling community.
“My rivalry, my teammate, writing our names in world record books, world championship victories, Olympic Games upsets, to celebrating retirements. You were there for the entirety of my career,” former teammate Amy Cure posted on Instagram.
“I’m especially grateful for our time post-retirement where we have had the opportunity to consolidate our journey over many of laughs and great memories. You will be forever missed my sister.”
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