Dave Mirra Dead: BMX Legend Dies at 41 ... Apparent Suicide

BMX bike legend Dave Mirra -- who once had the record for the most X Games medals -- has died of an apparent suicide ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Cops say the 41 year old's body was found in his truck in Greenville, North Carolina Thursday with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

We're told he had been in the area visiting with friends.

Mirra leaves a wife and two kids.

Officials tell TMZ Sports cops are investigating the death.

Earlier Thursday, a photo of Mirra and his wife together appeared on Dave's Instagram account with the caption, "My Rock! Thank god."

Mirra hosted 2 seasons of 'Real World/Road Rules Challenge' on MTV -- and was the namesake of several BMX video games.

Mirra also drove for Subaru rally car racing team.

Dave's good friend and fellow BMX legend T.J. Lavin tells us ... "I just wish he would have called me. I would have jumped on a plane in a second. There's always another way. If anyone needs help, just please get it. I feel sick about this."