BODYBUILDER and NPC/IFBB judge Jerry Ward appeared “handsome” hours before his sudden death aged 46.
Promoter Gary Udit confirmed the tragic news in a July 22 post.
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Ward had complained of rib pain hours before his death, but the bodybuilder’s cause of death has not yet been officially announced.
In a video posted to his nutritional supplement and personal training program bios2training account a few hours before his death, Ward was described as “look[ing] well and doesn’t seem to have any trouble.”
A follower added: “So sad, so young, never expected Jerry to leave so early, looked healthy.”
Wearing a black shirt with embroidery across the chest, Ward eagerly discussed common sense, online misinformation, intermittent fasting and weight meds.
Many in the bodybuilding community said they were “really shocked” by the death of the athlete, who previously spoke out about dealing with depression and addiction.
Ward was widely known for his love of bodybuilding and his vast knowledge of the sport.
In addition to his successful career as a bodybuilder, Ward had built a large following online thanks to his YouTube channel with 155,000 subscribers.
In his Instagram post, Udit said: “Sadly today we lost a great friend with the passing of Jerry Ward.
“Jerry died suddenly last night. He was here in Pittsburgh commenting on the live stream of the NPC Teen, Collegiate and Masters Nationals.
“In the NPC and IFBB PRO LEAGUE, Jerry has been an excellent competitor, judge, expediter, head judge and PPV commentator over the years.
“His knowledge of the sport of bodybuilding was unparalleled.
“Jerry was liked and loved by everyone he came in contact with.
“We are devastated by his death.”
According to Rx Muscle’s Dave Palumbo, Ward complained to a friend that he thought he had pulled his left rib.
Palumbo said he thought the injury was caused after carrying luggage to his whereabouts while performing his recent live stream duties.
He added that Ward had used a massage chair but thought the problem with his rib felt worse afterwards.
A friend of Ward’s, Rich, had told him to get it checked out by a doctor, but Ward decided to sleep it off instead, Palumbo said.
Rich texted Ward to remind him to show up for Saturday’s live stream duties, but Udit told him Ward had died.
The bodybuilder is survived by his wife Erin Merritt.
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Bodybuilder Jerry Ward “looked fine and didn’t seem to be having any trouble” in the final hours of video before the sudden death
