Hannah Noelle Rapp, Professional Boxer, Killed in Deliberate Hit-and-Run in Texas

American boxer Hannah Noelle Rapp, 26, died after being struck by a motorist who deliberately reversed into her while she was cycling in Texas. The driver, identified as Charles Medina, 31, has been arrested and charged with manslaughter. Rapp had recently challenged for the WBC women's featherweight championship in June before her death.

The Incident

The collision occurred on July 18 when Rapp and her boyfriend were cycling on a highway in Navasota, Texas. According to an affidavit from the Brazos County sheriff's office, a hatchback vehicle passed the couple from behind, then came to an abrupt stop. When Rapp's boyfriend raised his hands and shouted in response to the maneuver, the driver braked sharply, skidded, and accelerated in reverse directly toward them.

Physical evidence at the scene contradicted the driver's account. Medina claimed he was backing up at approximately 15 miles per hour and did not see Rapp until the moment of impact. However, investigators documented skid marks indicating rapid acceleration, steering adjustments during the reverse motion, and a completely shattered rear windshield. Emergency responders found Rapp unresponsive on the roadway and she was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Her Boxing Career

Rapp turned professional as a boxer in 2024 while maintaining full-time work as a fire and life safety inspector. Her professional record stood at 8-1-1 before her death. In June, she challenged WBC women's featherweight champion Tiara Brown in Orlando, Florida, losing the title bout. Brown later described Rapp as the "best dance partner I have ever faced as a pro" and recalled that Rapp requested her autograph before their fight despite preparing for combat.

Community Response

Her death has prompted extensive condolences from the boxing world and broader athletic community. The Bryan Boxing gym, where she trained, remembered her as "an amazing lady and soul." The Aggieland Cycling club, of which she was a member, noted how her "kindness and excitement for life" lifted those around her. Most Valuable Promotions, her promoter, described her as a gifted athlete who made a lasting impression on everyone she met.