If you don’t know Rich Piana by name, you probably do by face, and biceps, and traps.
The 46-year-old famous bodybuilder died on Friday after weeks spent in a medically-induced coma, according to TMZ. Piana reportedly collapsed while getting a haircut in his Florida apartment on August 7. His girlfriend, Chanel, tried to revive him but was unsuccessful.
Although the cause of death has yet to be determined, an educated guess may lead one to believe it was due to complications with steroids. A cursory search at his apartment revealed more than 20 bottles of steroids and a white powder. The bodybuilding champion had amassed over 1 million social media followers in large part due to his vulgar openness with his use of steroids.
According to the NY Daily News, the California-native had previously admitted to doing steroids for more than 30 years in a YouTube post back in 2014, bluntly revealing that its nearly impossible to compete in professional bodybuilding without enhancements.
“If you want to become a professional bodybuilder, guess what — you’re probably going to have to fuckin’ do ’em,” he said in the video. “You’re not going to have a choice.”
Piana’s steroid cycles got so intense that other bodybuilders made videos pleading for him to stop. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.
R.I.P. Big Fella.
[h/t TMZ]