A tragic incident occurred on Saturday morning in Brazos County, Texas, resulting in the death of 26-year-old Hannah Rapp, a promising professional boxer and safety inspector at Texas A&M University. Rapp was riding her bicycle when she was struck by a vehicle driven by 31-year-old Charles Medina, who has since been charged with manslaughter.
Authorities reported that the collision took place shortly before 10 a.m. in the 23000 block of FM 159. First responders found Rapp lying in the road and provided immediate medical assistance before transporting her to a local hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Investigators revealed that Medina had initially passed two cyclists before abruptly stopping his vehicle, reversing, and hitting Rapp. The sheriff’s office has indicated that they believe this incident to be isolated. Medina was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held at the Brazos County Detention Center as the investigation continues.
Community Mourns a Rising Star
The news of Rapp’s death has sent shockwaves through both her local community and the international boxing scene, where she was recognized as a dedicated and talented athlete. Originally from Yorktown, Indiana, Rapp excelled as a track athlete at Purdue University before making her transition to boxing, quickly rising through the amateur ranks to become a two-time Indiana Golden Gloves Champion.
Rapp made her professional boxing debut on April 20, 2024, earning a reputation for her powerful punches and tenacious fighting style. Within her first year as a professional, she captured the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Featherweight Championship, establishing herself as a top contender in the sport.
Just weeks prior to her tragic passing, Rapp fought in a co-main event on a Most Valuable Promotions card broadcast live on ESPN+. In a thrilling 10-round match against Tiara Brown for the WBC World Female Featherweight Title, Rapp faced her first professional defeat, but her performance garnered admiration from fans worldwide. Her professional record stood at 8 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, with five of those victories coming by knockout.
In recent years, Rapp trained at the Bryan Boxing Gym while balancing her role as a full-time fire and life safety inspector at Texas A&M University.
