Pettigrew's body was discovered in his car this morning in in Chatham County, North Carolina, after friends alerted the Sheriff's Office when he failed to turn-up for work.

He was 42.

Pettigrew was part of the United States 4x400 metres relay team, including Michael Johnson that won the gold medal in the Sydney Olympics in 2000, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped them of the medals last year after Pettigrew admitted doping during a trial against former coach Trevor Graham in a case linked to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO).

During the trial Pettigrew admitted he had used banned performance-enhancing drugs between 1997 and 2003, including Erythropoietin (EPO) and human growth hormone.

Graham was convicted of perjury and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) levied a lifetime ban against him.

Pettigrew also received a two-year ban in 2008, but he had already retired.

Pettigrew was also stripped of the gold medals he had won as part of the US relay team at the 1997, 1999 an 2001 World Championships as a result of his admission.

At the time USADA chief executive Travis Tygart praised the fact that Pettigrew (pictured far left) admitted his guilt and accepted his punishment.

"It takes courage to accept full responsibility for such egregious conduct, and hopefully Mr. Pettigrew's case will serve as another powerful reminder to young athletes of the importance of competing clean," Tygart said.

Pettigrew, who shot to prominence when he won the 400m at the World Championships in Tokyo in 1991, had been working as a coach at the University of North Carolina (UNC) for four years.

The sheriff’s report said there are indications that Pettigrew may have taken the sleep aid Unisom, but  it is unclear if that caused his death.

An autopsy was requested by the local medical examiner.

Chatham County Sheriff’s spokesman, Gary Blankenship, said officers have no reason to suspect foul play.

"Although we are still learning the circumstances, we are deeply saddened to learn of Antonio's death," said UNC director Dick Baddour.

"I was particularly impressed with the relationships he established with his student-athletes and the pride he took in representing the University.

"Our deepest condolences go out to Antonio's family particularly his wife and son."

He is survived by his wife, Cassandra, and son, Antonio Pettigrew Jr.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected] 


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