Rising biathlete star, 19, dies

A rising German biathlete star has died aged 19, according to reports on Monday. She is believed to have taken her own life. The Olympic team was told of the loss as they brought home their medals from Sochi.

Published: 24 February 2014 14:43 CET

Julia Pieper. Photo: DPA

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Julia Pieper was a member of the German Ski Association and was a member of the Oberhof winter sports club in Thuringia, central Germany.

She died on February 16th after splitting up with her boyfriend. According to police in her home of Winterberg, North-Rhine Westphalia, she is believed to have taken her own life.

According to biathlon-online.de Pieper, who took part in the junior ski world cup in 2013, died a day before the winter Olympics in Sochi came to an end.

The cause of Pieper's death has not been reported but the biathlon portal said that the Olympic team had been informed of the loss.

“Our hearts go out to her family and friends,” biathlon-online said in a statement posted on Saturday.

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