Bodybuilder and former Mr. Olympia competitor Neil Currey is dead at the age of 34.
Milos Sarcev, Currey’s former trainer, announced the news Monday on Instagram, calling it “absolutely shocking” and “heartbreaking.”
The cause of death is unclear, although initials reports claimed Sarcev’s Instagram post indicated Currey died by suicide.
However, Sarcev’s initial Instagram post has been edited and makes no mention of suicide.
Bodybuilding digital network Generation Iron reports Currey made his bodybuilding debut at the 2017 World Championships and finished fifth in the category of pro muscle.
He later competed “on some of the biggest stages in the sport,” winning gold at the 2022 New York Pro to lock down his invite to the 2022 Mr. Olympia competition six years after going pro.
Currey finished 16th in the Classic Physique category that year, according to the U.S. Sun.
Mr. Olympia is the gold standard for bodybuilding and launched the career of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who won the title seven times.
Tributes to Currey have been shared on social media following news of his death.
RX Muscle, which bills itself as the leader in bodybuilding news, posted a message on Instagram:
“Stunned and beyond saddened by the tragic news that Neil Currey has passed away at the young age of 34. We pass our most sincere and deepest condolences to Neil’s family, friends, and to all of his fans around the world.”
Canadian bodybuilder Fouad Abiad praised Currey, saying: “His work ethic was second to none and he had so much potential that was still untapped.”