cameron-burrell.jpg
Getty Images

Former University of Houston sprinter Cameron Burrell, one of the most decorated track stars in school history, died by suicide on Monday. Burrell, the son of Houston track coach Leroy Burrell and the godson of U.S. track and field legend Carl Lewis, was 26. 

According to TMZ Sports, medical examiners declared Burrell's cause of death was a "gunshot wound of the head." Burrell was reportedly found in a Houston parking garage. 

"My family is extremely saddened with the loss of our son, Cameron, last night," Leroy Burrell said in a statement through the university. "We are going through profound sorrow and ask that all of our friends, extended University of Houston family and the track and field community in the U.S. and abroad allow us to gather with our closest family and friends. We are profoundly grief-stricken and thank everyone for the outpouring of prayers and support. We will forward more information when it is available."

Both of Cameron Burrell's parents, Leroy Burrell and Michelle Finn-Burrell, won gold medals at the men's and women's 4x100 relays at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Olympic legend Carl Lewis, who works on Leroy's Burrell's track and field coaching staff at Houston, was Cameron Burrell's godfather.

Cameron Burrell was a star for the Houston track program and put together quite a career, although he never competed in the Olympics. He excelled on the track for the university rom 2013 to 2018 and won the individual nation championship in the 100-meter in 2018.

In addition, Burrell ran the anchor leg of Houston's 4x100-meter relay in 2018, when the Cougars won the national championship in that specific event.

Burrell also was a First Team All-American in the 60-meter event three times during his tenure at Houston. He was a First Team All-American from 2016 to 2018 in the 100-meter event during the outdoor portion of his career.

The track and field star was a member of the United States 4x100-meter relay team at the World Junior Championships in 2012, where the Americans won a gold medal. Burrell also appeared on the silver medalist team at the 2019 World Relay while anchoring the United States relay team at the 2018 Athletics World Cup.