Rohan Dennis Speaks Out About Tragic Incident and Media Criticism
Rohan Dennis has shared his personal account of the tragic incident that led to the death of his wife, Melissa Hoskins. In a detailed statement, he confirmed that the event was indeed an accident, emphasizing that it was never his intention to harm her.
Dennis, a former world champion cyclist, pleaded guilty to an aggravated charge of creating likelihood of harm following the incident on December 30, 2023. He was released from court in May 2024, having admitted to the charges. Since then, he has returned to social media, where he faced backlash for posting images of a Porsche with the caption “What an absolute weapon.”
This post sparked further controversy, leading Dennis to address the media directly in a scathing Instagram post. He accused the media of spreading a “false narrative” about him and making “disgusting” remarks in front of his daughter.
A Personal Statement
In his message, Dennis expressed his deep love for Melissa and reiterated that he had never intended to hurt her. He stated:
“Never in my life has any physical aggression crossed my mind in any disagreement with Melissa.”
He also emphasized his long-standing opposition to any form of abuse against women, particularly those who have given birth to his children.
Dennis recounted how the media treated him in the aftermath of the tragedy. He described being greeted at the airport just 24 hours after his wife’s funeral, with reporters making comments that were deeply upsetting, especially in front of his two-year-old daughter.
“How does it feel knowing you killed the mother of your two children, and they’ll never see their mother again?!”
“Are you a murderer?”
He criticized the media for claiming to care about the children while simultaneously harassing his family, including following them in cars and putting the children in stressful situations.
Addressing the ‘Weapon’ Caption
Dennis also addressed the controversy surrounding his “weapon” caption. He clarified that he never used a vehicle as a weapon, either intentionally or unintentionally. He pointed out that no legal statements suggested otherwise, and video footage of the accident supported this claim.
“The video footage of the accident also proves this statement.”
He concluded his message by calling on the media to “back off and leave my family alone.”
Reactions from Authorities
Dennis’s post also drew criticism from South Australian Victims’ Rights Commissioner Sarah Quick. She called the comment “deeply offensive,” stating it demonstrated a lack of insight into the lasting impact of the harm caused. She added that the comment showed a “profound lack of respect for Melissa and her family.”
Details of the Incident
During the trial, the court heard that Dennis and Hoskins had argued over kitchen renovations before he left their house and began driving along the laneway beside their property. Hoskins jumped onto the bonnet of the ute before falling to the ground and was run over.
She suffered serious injuries and later died in Royal Adelaide Hospital. The judge emphasized that Dennis was not criminally responsible for his wife’s death.
Police Interview Details
In his interview with police, Dennis, who has competed in multiple Olympic Games, explained that he had no intention of harming his wife. He described the moment when she ran out and jumped in front of his car.
“We were yelling at each other, and I was just like ‘I’m out’, as in like I’m just gonna leave the house.”
“As I was getting in my car, my wife Mel ran out and as I was moving she jumped in front and onto the bonnet.”
He continued to describe the events that followed, including his attempts to stop the car and witnessing his wife fall to the ground. His account highlights the emotional turmoil he experienced during the incident.
