Daughter of US Olympic champion Bode Miller drowns

The 19-month-old daughter of Olympic skiing champion Bode Miller has drowned. Photo: Collected
The 19-month-old daughter of Olympic skiing champion Bode Miller has drowned. Photo: Collected

The 19-month-old daughter of Olympic skiing champion Bode Miller has drowned, US police in California said Monday.

Emeline Gier Miller was found unconscious in the swimming pool of a neighbour's home in Cota de Caza, Orange County, on Saturday, police said.

Miller and his wife Morgan had been attending a party at the address when the tragedy struck.

Orange County Fire Authority captain Tony Bommarito said paramedics were called but were unable to resuscitate the toddler.

"I think they worked on the baby for a long time," Bommarito said.

Miller later issued a statement via Instagram, describing his family as "beyond devastated."

"Our baby girl, Emmy, passed away yesterday. Never in a million years did we think we would experience a pain like this," Miller wrote.

"Her love, her light, her spirit will never be forgotten. Our little girl loved life and lived it to it's fullest everyday. Our family respectfully requests privacy during this painful time."

Miller, 40, is the most decorated skier in US history, with six medals in 2002, 2010 and 2014 Winter Games, including a gold in the super combined in Salt Lake City in 2002.

He is also a former World Championship gold medallist and twice won the overall crown in 2005 and 2008.

He married professional beach volleyball player Morgan Beck in 2012. The couple have a son, Edward Miller, born in 2015, a year before Emeline was born in 2016.