Professional bodybuilder Rich Piana has passed away at the age of 46, nearly three weeks after going into a coma following a medical emergency at his Florida apartment, according to reports.
TMZ first reported that Piana collapsed while getting a haircut on August 7th and that his girlfriend, Chanel Jansen, tried to revive him but was unable to wake him. Piana was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was placed into a medically induced coma, but was never able to recover and passed away early this morning.
The 46-year old bodybuilder had admitted to a 27-year history of steroid use, once saying that it was necessary to juice if one was to be a successful professional bodybuilder. According to TMZ, a search of Piana's apartment revealed more than 20 bottles of steroids as well as an unidentified white powder, though it's unclear if those substances played a role in his death.
Piana competed and won several bodybuilding competitions over the course of his career, including Mr. California, and he had become an Instagram sensation, boasting more than 1 million followers.
Both his estranged wife, Sara Piana, and his girlfriend, Chanel Jansen, shared their thoughts on social media shortly after his death was announced.
Sara Piana wrote on Facebook,
“I’m in tears writing this that @1dayumay has just passed away. I can barely believe this… I am so saddened & heartbroken that he didn’t make it.”
“I just want to say THANK YOU Rich for teaching me so much about life, whether it was the easy or the hard way,” she added. “We had our ups and downs but we sure had an awesome time in each other’s presence along with us fighting through some dark times together. You truly touched many people’s heart and helped so many!!! It inspired me in many ways to see the huge impact you had on people all over the world.”
Jansen shared a photo of her and Piana with a caption that read, in part,
"I will always remember how much I love holding his hand. I will always remember how I felt so loved when he would wake up and kiss me on the forehead. I will always remember how I had it great with the love of my life. I will always remember I was loved by the most amazing man I've ever known"
