Latvian motocross legend Normunds Ērkulis dies in suspected stabbing

Latvian motocross legend Normunds Ērkulis, a six-time national champion, has died at the age of 66 in an incident under investigation as a suspected murder, LSM reported.

Police have detained one person and placed them in custody. Investigators suspect Ērkulis may have been stabbed with a knife, but police have not confirmed the cause of death. The incident took place in Laža Parish, where a man born in 1960 was found.

Unofficial information cited by LSM suggests that the detained person knew Ērkulis, lived nearby in Cīrava and may have planned to travel home with him after fishing.

Ainārs Spirģis, a friend who had known Ērkulis for about 60 years and had practised motocross with him, described him as a close and trustworthy friend who was always willing to give advice.

Spirģis said he had not witnessed the incident and could only speculate about what happened. Police have not confirmed his account or claims about the detained person’s past.

Ērkulis’s daughter, Sabīne Gūtmane, said the death was a huge loss for the family. She described her father as an outstanding athlete, a strong person in both sport and character, and a warm-hearted man who had been her role model.

A farewell ceremony for Ērkulis will take place on Friday, September 4, at the chapel of Līva Cemetery in Liepāja.