Jodi Vance, a 20-year-old bodybuilder, has passed away after suffering a fatal heart attack, her family confirmed through her official Instagram page. According to the statement, her heart stopped due to severe dehydration, and despite the hospital’s efforts, she could not be revived.
“She was a beautiful person inside and out, and she will be missed every single day. This was sudden and unexpected,” the post read, alongside a photo of Vance proudly holding two medals from one of her competitions.
Her family also asked for privacy as they grieve, reminding followers to prioritize their health.
Reports from TMZ Sports revealed that Vance began feeling unwell after attending the Arnold Sports Festival in Ohio, where she was supporting athletes she coached.
In a video statement, her coach, Justin Mihaly, shared that Vance had been using dangerous substances to enhance her physique without his or her family’s knowledge. He stressed that she was not preparing for any competition and should not have been dehydrating at the time.
“Jodi made a significant error that should not be taken lightly. We want to make sure this never happens again,” Mihaly said, adding that concerns about her health had been raised prior to her death.
Mihaly also revealed that hospital tests showed she had taken a substance they had previously agreed against using during her past tournament preparations.
Remembering Vance, Mihaly described her as deeply loved and incredibly driven. “Her work ethic was second to none,” he said. “We are going to move forward with integrity and positivity. That’s what Jodi would want.”
