On May 6, Holcomb was discovered to have died in his room at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York, the United States Olympic Committee confirmed.

He was only 37-years-old.

In a statement released by USA Bobsled and Skeleton on May 7, a preliminary report released by the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake, New York suggested pulmonary congestion as a possible cause of Holcomb's death.

At the venue, also in Lake Placid, a giant photo of Holcomb pulling off his bobsleigh kit to reveal a Superman t-shirt acted as a backdrop for the evening, which was attended by USA Bobsled and Skeleton chief executive Darrin Steele, Olympic Sports Complex general manager Tony Carlino and International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) President Ivo Ferriani among others.

Holcomb piloted the US four-man team to the Olympic title at Vancouver 2010, where he was joined by pushers Steve Mesler, Curtis Tomasevicz and Justin Olsen.

Together they were known as the "Night Train".

Holcomb also won two-man and four-man bronze at the Sochi 2014 Olympics and had five World Championship gold medals to his name.

He won six overall titles on the IBSF World Cup circuit, where he won 60 medals in all.

All of his prizes were on display at the service. 

Holcomb's coach Brian Shimer said that the American would go on to inspire future athletes in years to come.

“That bond will never be broken, and love will never get lost,” said Shimer.

“I’ve never coached a season without Steve.

"We came a long way.

"He will continue to inspire our athletes to follow their dreams.”