It is the kind of phone call every parent on the planet sees in their nightmares. On a May morning in 2009, Mike Tyson was out in Las Vegas, doing whatever a retired heavyweight champ does with his time. Back in Phoenix, his world was literally falling apart. People often ask, how did Mike Tyson’s daughter end up in such a freak accident? It wasn’t some grand mystery or a Hollywood-style drama. It was a treadmill.
Honestly, that’s the part that sticks in your throat. A piece of exercise equipment that sits in half the basements in America.
The Morning Everything Changed
On May 25, 2009, four-year-old Exodus Tyson was playing in the family’s home gym. Her seven-year-old brother, Miguel, was around too. Their mother, Sol Xochitl, was busy cleaning another part of the house. It was a normal, quiet Monday until Miguel walked into the gym and saw his sister.
She was tangled. A cord—specifically the one hanging from the treadmill's console—had formed a loop. Whether she slipped or just put her head through it while playing, no one knows. But it acted like a noose. Miguel ran for their mom. Sol rushed in, cut Exodus down, and called 911 while frantically trying to start CPR.
It didn't look good. By the time the ambulance got there, she wasn’t breathing.
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The Aftermath in Phoenix
Mike Tyson flew back from Vegas immediately. If you’ve ever seen the footage of him arriving at the hospital, it’s gut-wrenching. The "Baddest Man on the Planet" looked small. Totally broken. Exodus was on life support for about 24 hours. Doctors at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center did what they could, but the damage from the lack of oxygen was just too much.
She was pronounced dead just before noon on Tuesday, May 26.
The police did a full sweep of the house, of course. They always do. But Sgt. Andy Hill told the press pretty quickly that there was nothing suspicious. No foul play. Just a "tragic accident" that happened in the blink of an eye.
Why This Story Still Sticks With Us
Maybe it's because it humanized a man who had spent decades being seen as a monster or a caricature. Tyson has talked about this in later interviews—kinda opening up about how he didn't even know how to handle the grief without getting angry. But he didn't lash out. He actually credits his family and the tragedy for shifting his perspective on life.
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You've probably noticed he's a lot different now. Mellow. Reflective.
Where is the Tyson Family Now?
Life, as it always does, kept moving. Mike eventually married Lakiha "Kiki" Spicer, and they’ve been together ever since. But what about the kids? People always wonder how a family bounces back from something that heavy.
Miguel Leon Tyson, the brother who found Exodus, is now in his early twenties. He’s a musician. Plays the drums and piano. He’s also been seen doing some boxing training with his dad, though he seems more interested in the arts than the ring.
Then there’s Milan Tyson. If you follow tennis, you've definitely heard her name. She’s a beast on the court. She’s trained with Patrick Mouratoglou (the guy who coached Serena Williams). Mike is basically the "Tennis Dad" now, traveling with her and cheering from the sidelines. She also launched her own activewear line called Milan Miyla. Basically, she’s out here building an empire at 18.
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Morocco Tyson, the youngest, is currently a teenager. He’s into golf and track. The family seems tight-knit, often appearing together at events. It’s a far cry from the chaotic Tyson era of the 90s.
Lessons from a Tragedy: Treadmill Safety
If there is any "actionable" takeaway from a story this sad, it’s about the gear we keep in our homes. Treadmills are incredibly dangerous for small kids—not just because of the moving belts, but because of the cords.
- Unplug everything. If you aren't using the machine, pull the plug. Don't just turn it off.
- The Safety Key. Most modern treadmills have a magnetic safety key. If that key isn't in, the machine won't run. Take the key with you. Store it in a high drawer.
- Cord Management. Use Velcro ties to keep power cords and console cables tight against the frame. No loops. No dangling.
- The "Out of Bounds" Rule. Keep gym equipment in a room with a door that locks from the outside, or use a baby gate that a four-year-old can't outsmart.
It feels over-the-top until it isn't. The Tyson family learned that the hardest way possible. Today, Mike Tyson's legacy is a mix of his boxing dominance and his role as a father who survived the unthinkable. He’s still "Iron Mike," but these days, the "iron" is more about the resilience he showed in rebuilding his life after losing Exodus.
Practical Steps for Childproofing Your Home Gym
- Audit your cables: Walk into your gym area right now. Look for anything hanging lower than five feet.
- Check the "Entrapment Zone": The space behind a treadmill is where most injuries happen when the belt is moving. Ensure there's at least six feet of clear space behind the machine.
- Education: Talk to older siblings. Miguel knew to get his mom immediately, but teaching kids that gym equipment is "adults only" can save a life.
- Professional Assessment: If you have a large home gym, consider having a childproofing expert do a walkthrough. It costs a bit, but the peace of mind is worth it.