Rohan Dennis attends memorial for wife Melissa Hoskins after being charged in her death – moving reason why service was held today is revealed

Rohan Dennis has joined hundreds of mourners who gathered to say goodbye to his wife, world-class cyclist and Olympian Melissa Hoskins, at a public service in Adelaide.

The beloved athlete and mother of two young children were killed on December 30 after being struck in a collision outside the couple’s home in the city’s leafy hinterland.

Police allege her husband Dennis, 33, also a champion cyclist, was driving the ute.

He has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, careless driving and endangering life.

Ms Hoskins, 32, was seriously injured and died at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Dennis attended the memorial with the couple’s two children, but did not speak during the service.

He was photographed hugging guests before the ceremony began.

Mrs Hoskins’ father Peter struggled to hold back tears as he welcomed mourners.

“While we are still grieving, today is about celebrating Melissa, celebrating her love for life. The friendships she valued, the achievements and her triumphs,” he said.

The commemoration took place on Mrs Hoskins’ 33rd birthday.

Mr Hoskins said his daughter’s memory lives on in her own daughter, who already reflected the same “confident, cheeky and fun-loving” nature she displayed as a child.

A tear fell down her sister Jessica Locke’s face as she reflected on how today was meant to be Melissa’s first birthday spent at home after much apart from family.

“She’s missed so many birthdays, Christmas, weddings, everything. This year we were on a mission to change that,” she said.

The pair were due to spend the weekend on a ‘sisters only’ trip to the Hunter Valley that Melissa had booked as a surprise.

‘We had already made family plans for all the school holidays until the end of this year. “I’m so sad we didn’t get a chance to catch up,” she said.

Mrs Locke said it was still “so hard” to talk about her sister as she remembered their close bond, so much so that she had her name tattooed on her body.

‘I know it will get easier in the long run. It’s still surreal and there’s still so much sadness,” she said.

‘What happened was not fair. She still had so much to give.

‘We all have our own wonderful memories of Mel. So talk about her. Share those amazing stories with your family, your friends and your children.’sis

Mr Hoskins, Melissa’s mother Amanda and sister Jess released a statement via Aus Cycling on January 2 expressing their sadness at the shocking news.

“Words cannot convey our grief, sorrow and the tragic circumstances of Melissa’s death,” Mrs Hoskins wrote on behalf of the family.

‘Myself, Amanda, Jess and my families are devastated and still struggling to come to terms with what has happened.

‘Not only have we lost a daughter and sister, her children have also lost their mother, a free spirit, a giver with a big heart, patience and zest for life.

“She was the rock of their lives and ours, and we must honor her memory so they can grow up knowing who she was, what she stood for and what she gave to all whose lives she touched.”

‘The outpouring of sadness and support has overwhelmed us. In her short life, Melissa has had so many positive contact moments in and around the world.’

The family flew from Perth to attend the service.

Dennis has been released on bail and is due to return to the Adelaide Magistrates Court in March.

The Adelaide memorial follows a funeral service held in Perth on January 17.

Melissa’s cycling teammates and mentors are also expected.

Ms Hoskins competed in the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics.