Bodybuilder Jodi Vance dies from a heart attack at 20
Bodybuilder Jodi Vance has died due to a fatal heart attack. She was 20.
Her passing was confirmed by her family through her Instagram page, saying that Jodi's heart had stopped "due to complications of severe dehydration."
"Despite all efforts by the hospital, they were unable to revive her. She was a beautiful person inside and out, and she will be missed every single day. This was sudden and unexpected," the caption read, alongside a photo of Vance holding two medals from one of her tournaments.
It added, "Please give her family time to process this loss in peace. If anyone takes anything from this, please put your [health] first.
According to TMZ Sports, Vance began to feel sick after attending the Arnold Sports Festival in Ohio to support athletes she was coaching.
In an Instagram video message, Justin Mihaly, Vance's coach, revealed that the latter used "extremely hazardous substances" to improve her physique without his and her family's knowledge and approval.
"Jodi made a significant error that should not be taken lightly. We want to make sure this never happens again," he said, adding that she was not prepping for an expo and "should not have been dehydrating."
"The health had become quite concerning. Many people who loved Jodi tried to get her to pull off the gas pedal a bit," he added. "Her work ethic was actually second to nobody. It was so hard getting her to pull back."
Mihaly mentioned that her vital signs recorded at the hospital indicated she had ingested a substance he had cautioned her about as being harmful.
"We now know it was in use," Mihaly disclosed.
He also clarified that one of the drugs that Jodi used was something that she had presented to Mihaly before to use for her last preparation in a tournament. He said that they decided not to use the drug.
"We are going to move forward with integrity and positivity... That's the, too, what Jodi would want," he said while remembering her as someone who "was freaking loved" and spoke with "intellect."
