PHOENIX (May 27) -- The 4-year-old daughter of boxer Mike Tyson died at a hospital Tuesday, a day after her neck apparently got caught in a treadmill cord at her Phoenix home, police said.
Former heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson attends the Winky Wright versus Paul Williams middleweight fight at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada in this April 11, 2009 file photo.Tyson's four-year-old daughter Exodus has died, a day after being found with a cord tied around her neck in an apparent accident at her home, Phoenix police said on May 26, 2009. Media reports said Exodus Tyson was playing near some exercise equipment when she accidentally got tangled in a cord or rope hanging from a treadmill on Monday. She was taken to a Phoenix hospital in critical condition. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING)
Reuters
The home where 4-year-old Exodus Tyson, daughter of former boxing champion Mike Tyson, lived is seen Tuesday, May 26, 2009, in Phoenix, a day after her neck apparently was caught in a treadmill cord while she was playing at home, police said. Exodus was declared dead Tuesday at a hospital, police said. Police have said their investigation showed her injury was a "tragic accident." (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
AP
Abdul Khalik, 53, right, and niece Shahida Popal, 3, who Khalik says was a playmate of Exodus Tyson, talk about the Tyson girl and the family Tuesday, May 26, 2009, in Phoenix, after the death of 4-year-old Exodus, daughter of former boxing champion Mike Tyson, a day after her neck apparently was caught in a treadmill cord while she was playing at home. Police have said their investigation showed her injury was a "tragic accident." (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
AP
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical center is seen Tuesday, May 26, 2009, in Phoenix, where 4-year-old Exodus Tyson, daughter of former boxing champion Mike Tyson, was pronounced dead a day after her neck apparently got caught in a treadmill cord while she was playing at home, police said. Police have said their investigation showed her injury was a "tragic accident." (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
AP
(FILES): This April 16, 2009 file photo shows former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson arriving for the premiere of "Tyson" in West Hollywood. Tyson's four-year-old daughter died May 26, 2009, a day after accidentally catching her neck in a cord on a treadmill at her home, police said. Exodus Tyson had been hospitalized on life support since May 25, 2009, when she was found with her neck wrapped in the cable of the exercise machine by her seven-year-old brother. "We are grateful for the tremendous outpouring of love and prayers from all over the world," the family said in a statement. AFP PHOTO / Files / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
LAS VEGAS - JULY 26: (FILE PHOTO) Former boxer Mike Tyson sits in the crowd before the interim WBA light flyweight title fight between Cesar Canchila and Giovani Segura at the MGM Grand Garden Arena July 26, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tyson's daughter Exodus has died May 26, 2009 the day after she was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix following a choking incident involving a treadmill at home. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike Tyson
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CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 21: (FILE PHOTO) Mike Tyson arrives at the 'Che' Premiere at the Palais des Festivals during the 61st International Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2008 in Cannes, France. Tyson's daughter Exodus has died May 26, 2009 the day after she was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix after a choking incident involving a treadmill at home. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike Tyson
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(FILES)Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson arrives at the premiere of "Tyson" in West Hollywood, in this April 16, 2009 file photo. Mike Tyson's four-year-old daughter was hospitalized on life support on May 25, 2009 after getting her neck caught in a cable on an exercise treadmill at home, police said. The girl, identified by local media as Exodus Tyson, was found by her seven-year-old brother on Monday morning. The girl's mother, summoned from another room, freed her, called emergency services and tried to resuscitate her. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
NEW YORK - APRIL 20: (FILE PHOTO) Mike Tyson attends Sony Pictures Classics' screening of "Tyson" at the AMC Loews 19th Street on April 20, 2009 in New York City. Tyson's daughter Exodus was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix after a choking incident at home, according to reports on May 25, 2009. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike Tyson
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FILE - In this file photo taken on Monday, Sept. 24, 2007, former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson leaves Superior Court after pleading guilty to charges of drug possession and driving under the influence stemming from a traffic stop last year as he was leaving a nightclub in Mesa, Ariz. Tyson's 4-year-old daughter is on life support after she was found with her neck on a treadmill cable at their Phoenix home Monday May 25, 2009, police said. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
AP
Exodus Tyson was pronounced dead just before noon, police Sgt. Andy Hill said. She had been on life support and police have said their investigation showed her injury on Monday was a "tragic accident.''
"There are no words to describe the tragic loss of our beloved Exodus,'' the family said in a statement. "We ask you now to please respect our need at this very difficult time for privacy to grieve and try to help each other heal.''
Police said Exodus either slipped or put her head in the loop of a cord hanging under the console. Her 7-year-old brother found her and told their mother. She took Exodus off the cord, called 911 and tried to revive her.
Responding officers and firefighters performed CPR as they took the girl to the hospital.
Former heavyweight champion Tyson was in Las Vegas at the time of the accident and flew Monday to Phoenix, where he was seen entering the hospital.
The family's home is in a modest, quiet neighborhood. Neighbors say they saw Tyson there from time to time and the children played outside regularly.
Dinka Radic, who lives across the street, said Exodus would ask her if she had any chocolate. When Radic gave her some, Exodus would hug the woman's knees and "kiss, kiss, kiss.''
"She'd say 'hi' to everybody. She was really friendly,'' said Abdul Khalik, 53, who lives next door.
He said Exodus rode her bicycle in the neighborhood and often played with his two children and his niece. He said his 14-year-old daughter had cried all day after hearing of Exodus' death.
Ben Brodhurst, 20, who lives across the street, said Exodus' and her family went trick-or-treating at his house the last couple of Halloweens. She was "very lively, very enjoyable to be around,'' he said.
The neighborhood contrasts starkly with the lavish lifestyle Tyson had through his tumultuous years of boxing, when he spent tens of millions of dollars and says he had millions more stolen from him by unscrupulous associates. During two years at the height of his career, he earned $140 million.
The death of his child in such an unusual accident adds an awful chapter to the boxer's troubled life.
Tyson first began boxing in a facility for juvenile delinquents in upstate New York at the age of 12. Eight years later, he became the youngest heavyweight champion ever when he knocked out Trevor Berbick in 1986. But in 1990, he was defeated by James ``Buster'' Douglas in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, and soon after was convicted of raping a beauty pageant contestant in Indianapolis.
Tyson, who still denies he raped the woman, served three years in prison.
A few years later, he served three months in jail for beating up two men after a minor car crash in suburban Washington.
As his career continued, so did his bizarre behavior. He bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear during a boxing match and once threatened to eat the children of heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis.
Although Tyson's children had lived in their unassuming neighborhood for several years, he purchased a separate home in the tony Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley in 2005 for $2.1 million, selling it two years later for $2.3 million.
In November 2007, Tyson spent 24 hours in Maricopa County's "Tent City'' jail after pleading guilty to one count of cocaine possession and one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence. Police found the drug when they pulled over Tyson's car after he left a Scottsdale night club.
According to police, Tyson said after his arrest that he bought cocaine "whenever I can get my hands on it.''
At Tyson's sentencing hearing, nearly a year after the arrest, his attorney David Chesnoff said his client had taken 29 drug tests without a relapse and was attending Alcoholic Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
Tyson had become an example of how one overcomes problems with drugs, a violent past and poor upbringing, Chesnoff said.
"He's tried his hardest,'' his attorney said, "despite coming from almost impossible beginnings.''
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Your an idiot.What did the child to to deserve this? So the sins of the father are passed down to an innocent child? If Tyson fell ass first on a splintered broom stick I would understand your comment, but at this rate you're an ingorant idiot. Don't forget that this comment you've made about a child that died will have repercusions and that "IT WILL COME BACK TO YOU!!!"
I am so very sad to hear of this. I lost my only child, my 10-year-old daughter, 9 months ago in a car accident (which also put her mother into a coma), so I can REALLY say I know what Mike & family are going thru. As a parent, you never get over the loss of your child. It doesn't "get better", you don't "get over it with time"....it changes you forever. To someone who has never actually experienced it (and I would not ******* on ANYONE), it is the worst pain imagineable. No other loss....parents, siblings, even your spouse....even comes close because a parent/child bond is so unique, so...different. You helped MAKE them, they are a part of you, and when they die, it's a part of YOU that also died. And when it's a tragic accident, you have the guilt of "what could I have done to prevent this?", etc. to add to it. My heart goes out to the Tyson family....nothing can be said that will even remotely help. Any talk of "she's in a better place", "it was her time" and the ever-popular "It was God's will" means little to the grieving parent. Only time will eventually help ease the pain & hopefully bring eventual acceptance (at least that is what I am hoping for!). Mike (& family), you all are in our thoughts & prayers in this, the gravest of tragedies that can befall a parent. God bless. Jeff
God be with Tyson family I want you to know you are in my prayers. Our family lost our Lil Chocolate Angel at age 4 Dee was the lite of my life. I only ask God to give you as much love now as he gave when he chose to loan his Angel for 4 years. God knows your heart breaks and how hard it is for you to give her back, but know this God will be with you all the way.
FetusFajitas81 I would love to know where you get the gall to talk so much crap. When a child dies there are no words to comfort a parent. Regardless of what the parent did before it is a loss of a child whom the parents will not see grow up. You can not see beyond your narrow minded, assbackward and vile words. Ignorance is bliss and by far you have to be the most ignorant and pathetic person on AOL. I am wondering if you eat sh*t ? Because thats all that comes out of your mouth and your comments are very uncalled for. Like I said before, you are an assh*le wait let me rephrase your a WHOLE ASS BECAUSE ITS BIGGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TO THE MIKE TYSON FAMILY, I'M SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THE LOSS OF YOUR DAUGHTER, MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND BLESS YOU ALL, DURING THIS MOST DIFFICULT TIME. THE PRECIOUS LITTLE ANGEL HAS HER WINGS, ONCE AN ANGEL ALWAYS AN ANGEL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU. LOVE, ROSE
MIKE, MY HEART IS ACHING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. GOD HAD A PLAN FOR YOUR PRECIOUS DARLING AND SHE IS IN HEAVEN WITH THE ANGELS NOW. YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS ALWAYS.
this is so so tragic..a blessed little 4 year old girl who will miss all the wonderful experiences in life...mike tyson and his family grieve as they should...none of us in anyway should think negative..lets pray for the family...and may this little sweetheart rest in peace..........................
BEARstarr55: The karma you speak of would be the pain Tyson feels. Perhaps this is true. Unfortunate for the little girl and why she did is another story. I think this could have been avoided. I haven't thought at all about Tyson's history until now. All I can think about is how this death could have been prevented.
I'm not the least bitter at anyone. I'm sorry for the family that this tragic accident happened. I would not wish this type of tragedy on anyone. Tragic things happen every day to good decent God-fearing people. It's just that when I first heard about this tragedy, I recalled all of the evil things and doings that Mike Tyson has done in his life and I thought perhaps that it wassome kind of karma or something like that.
I'M SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THE LOSS OF YOUR DAUGHTER, MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND BLESS YOU ALL, DURING THIS MOST DIFFICULT TIME. THE PRECIOUS LITTLE ANGEL HAS HER WINGS, ONCE AN ANGEL ALWAYS AN ANGEL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.
LOVE, ROSE
LOVE RUTH
Tragic things happen every day to good decent God-fearing people. It's just that when I first heard about this tragedy, I recalled all of the evil things and doings that Mike Tyson has done in his life and I thought perhaps that it wassome kind of karma or something like that.