May 27, 2009, 9:15 GMT
Mike Tyson's four-year-old daughter died last night (26.05.09) after accidentally strangling herself.
The former boxer's youngest daughter Exodus was found hanging from an electrical cord which was attached to a treadmill in the gym at her mother's house in Phoenix, Arizona.
She had stopped breathing by the time her brother Miguel, seven, stumbled upon the tragic scene and alerted their mother Monica Turner, who performed CPR and called an ambulance.
Exodus was rushed to hospital, where her father - who had been filming a documentary in Las Vegas - rushed to sit by her bedside as she fought for life. She died hours later.
Police Sergeant Andy Hill, who was one of the first officers on the scene, said: "It's so tragic. Exodus was playing by herself when she got tangled in the cord which was attached to an exercise treadmill.
"It acted like a noose and she was obviously unable to get herself out of it. We don't know how long she was hanging, but it could have been a couple of minutes."
A spokesman for Tyson, 42, released a statement on the one-time heavyweight champion's behalf, saying: "We are grateful for the tremendous outpouring of love and prayers from all over the world.
"There are no words to describe the tragic loss of our beloved Exodus. 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."
It is believed Monica was cleaning in another part of the home when the accident happened.
Tyson - who has been jailed for rape and drug offences and banned from boxing for biting off part of opponent Evander Holyfield's ear - recently claimed he had turned his life around so he could spend more time with his seven children.
He added: "I've been sober for two-and-a-half years and I'm working hard to keep out of trouble. If there's a transformation it's because of my children. I want to be a proper father."
Your Talkback on this Story