An American boxer, who challenged for the World Boxing Council
women’s featherweight title in June, died Saturday morning after
being hit by a motorist in Texas.
Hannah Rapp, 26, was on her bicycle when she was struck by the
vehicle. Investigators have reportedly arrested a 31-year-old man
identified as Charles Medina in connection with her death.
What police say about Hannah Rapp’s death and the manslaughter
charge
According to the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office, the incident
occurred on Saturday, July 18, in the morning when Rapp was riding
along a highway. Authorities allege that a vehicle passed her
before suddenly stopping, reversing and striking her. She was
transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Brazos deputies said they charged Medina with manslaughter. Under
Texas law, manslaughter is defined as recklessly causing another
person’s death. The sheriff’s office has not provided additional
details, stating that the case is under active investigation.
“The loss of Hannah Rapp leaves us heartbroken,“ WBC president
Mauricio Sulaiman said in a statement (via ESPN). “She was an exceptional boxer, but above
all, an invaluable member of our boxing family.”
A native of Yorktown, Indiana, Rapp started as a track athlete at
Purdue before transitioning to boxing. She turned pro in 2024 while
maintaining a job as a fire and life safety inspector at Texas
A&M.
Rapp had registered eight victories and drawn once during her nine
pro career bouts before she challenged Tiara Brown of Fort Myers,
Florida, for the latter’s world title belt. She lost that bout, but
Brown later called Rapp „the best dance partner I have ever faced
as a pro.“
Hannah Rapp has passed away after being
struck by a car on Saturday morning in Texas. She was 26 years
old.A former collegiate runner, the rising boxer recently challenged
Tiara Brown for the WBC women’s featherweight title in June.
pic.twitter.com/tNH99wwLpw— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine)
July 19, 2026