“He wakes up with a smile on his face and an excitement for life, ready for the next adventure or mountain to climb both figuratively and literally” read Lindsay Bingham’s heartfelt post for her husband’s 40th birthday just last year. Their Instagram page, “ourlifeinholland,” is a vibrant glimpse into the adventures of a family of six, filled with love, joy, and the thrill of life’s journey. Tragically, that same spirit has been dimmed with the sudden loss of their pack leader.

Justin Bingham wasn’t just a beloved husband and father—he was a champion athlete and a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in Milan, Italy. BYU track and field has a rich history, built by names like Scott Mecham and Justin Bingham. Their contributions shaped the community and inspired many. Sadly, both legends are now gone, leaving a void of sadness among those who knew them. Mecham recently passed away in a tragic mountain biking accident, and before anyone could even process that loss, the BYU family has been hit once again.

On October 5, 2024, Justin Bingham passed away in an accident at Zion National Park, near Heaps Canyon. He was exploring the rugged terrain with friends when he tragically lost his footing and fell. He was only 41. The news has left his family and community heartbroken. His wife Lindsay and their four children are facing an unimaginable loss, as Lindsay shared in a post: “His family lost their rock. Lindsay lost the love of her life. Their children have lost their best friend.” The Bingham family has asked for privacy during this incredibly difficult time, as they mourn the loss of their beloved husband and father.

According to the National Park Service, Justin Bingham was canyoneering with three friends when tragedy struck, leading to his fatal accident. Bingham served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Milan, Italy. Fittingly, his obituary notes a touching detail: “We can only imagine him shouting for joy in the presence of our Savior at the announcement of the Milan Temple less than 24 hours after his passing.”

After his work with the church, Bingham made a mark as a BYU track and field star. As a sprinter for BYU from 2005-08, Bingham’s records were impressive. He clocked a personal best of 53.03 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles and 8.54 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles. He also showcased his versatility with a time of 40.09 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles. His athletic prowess was clear, but more than his accomplishments, Bingham’s positive spirit left an undeniable impact.

In an Instagram post following his passing, his family celebrated the way Justin Bingham lived life to the fullest. “Justin loved life more than anything,” the post read. “His passion for living was rivaled only by his devotion to his family. His wife and his four precious kids were his reason for living, the reason he got out of bed every morning and his sole purpose on earth.”

Despite the grief, the post echoed Bingham’s resilient nature: “But if you knew Justin you know he would infuse this moment with optimism and positivity. He’d grab this agony by the horns and ride it through the impending storm with his family on his back. So we pick up the pieces. We remember him. We honor him. We lean on his strength.” Beyond athletics, Justin Bingham was also a successful entrepreneur. After earning a business minor from BYU, he was named one of Utah Valley BusinessQ’s Top 10 Coolest Entrepreneurs and was the CEO of tech company Opiniion at the time of his passing.

BYU’s assistant track coach Kyle Grossarth reflected on Bingham’s infectious energy: “Justin brought a smile and a football every day to practice.” Grossarth noted that Bingham had a contagious effect on his teammates and was a great representative of BYU and its Track and Field program. The loss of Justin Bingham has profoundly affected his family, friends, and the BYU community, who are all deeply mourning his absence.

Justin Bingham remembered by his fans

As soon as the tragic news came to the forefront, Bingham’s fans flocked to the comment section to express their support for his family.  Expressing deep sympathy for Justin’s family, one Instagram user wrote, “What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. We miss him a lot. You’re in our constant prayers, Linds. We love you!” His admirers only highlighted how Justin always impacted others’ lives for good. The fan tried to shower love to the Bingham family, expressing ongoing prayers to the bereaved family during this time of their immense loss.

Justin always loved and cared for his loving family with all he had. His four children meant the world to him. One fan was really grief-stricken by the news of Justin’s sad demise. They commented, “My heart hurts. Sending so much love to this beautiful family”. Bingham was not just a BYU athlete but was also a tech CEO and was loved by all. But answering the call of the outdoors, which attracted him the most, became the reason behind him breathing his last.

Expressing profound grief over Justin Bingham’s death and the impact it had on his close ones, another commenter wrote, “Never knew a pain that hurt so deep🥹 There was NO ONE Like Justin. No one.” Justin has always tried to perceive life from a different lens. He wanted to stay close to nature and explore the world. 

Justin’s family was the reason behind his ever-smiling face. “His zest for life was contagious and the way he loved Linds so deeply and his children is one of the most beautiful things I’ve got to experience in my life. I will miss you beyond words, love you my friend🤍”, added the user sharing more about the pure soul who left his earthly abode.

It is nothing but deep sorrow that rules the hearts of the ones who knew Bingham closely. “Since hearing this news, I’ve cried several times for your sweet family.” She further added that “Aaron ran track at BYU with Justin and he was older than him by a few years but Justin always made it a point to look out for him and say hi. He was such a light! Praying for your beautiful family through this unimaginable trial 😭🤍”. It was Bingham’s kind nature that would keep him alive in the hearts of his loved ones forever. Thus, reeling from back-to-back shocking losses, BYU track and field will surely take some time to regroup and get back to being normal.