10 Of the most outstanding young bodybuilders who tragically died too soon. Included in this list are Mr Olympia winners, professional athletes, and actors.

The competitive world of bodybuilding is tough on the human body. These athletes put their bodies through grueling workouts day in and day out to build the perfect physique. Unfortunately, sometimes this comes at a cost. 

While bodybuilding may be a physically demanding sport, it can also be dangerous. In fact, many bodybuilders have died tragically young. Here are 10 bodybuilders who died too soon.

1. Luke Sandoe

The fitness community was in mourning once again following the death of Luke Sandoe. Sandoe died on May 7th, 2020, at the age of 31. The cause of death was heart failure. He was considered one of the next major stars of the sport and had a legion of fans around the world.

Luke Sandoe Accomplishments

2012 South Coast – 1st

2012 British Championships – 2nd

2013 South Coast – 1st

2014 Welsh Grand Prix – 1st

2015 British Championships – 6th

2015 Kent Classic Championships – 2nd

2017 Arnold Classic – 8th

2018 Arnold Classic Australia – 6th

2018 Indy Pro – 3rd

2018 California Pro Men’s Bodybuilding – 15th

2019 Arnold Classic – 3rd

2019 Arnold Classic Australia – 5th

2019 Indy Pro – 4th

2019 Tampa Pro Men’s Bodybuilding – 2nd

2019 Mr. Olympia – 11th

2.Baitollah Abbaspour

Professional bodybuilder Baitollah Abbaspour passed away in August 2015 after a long fight with Vasculitis – a disorder that causes inflammation in the blood vessels. Baitollah went into a coma at the Atiyeh Hospital in Iran and passed away shortly after, as reported by Generation Iron.

Baitollah Abbaspour Accomplishments

2014 IFBB San Marino Pro 212, 2nd

2014 IFBB EVLs Prague Pro 212, 2nd

2014 IFBB Korea Pro 212, 3rd

2014 IFBB Olympia 212 Showdown, 5th

2014 IFBB PBW Tampa Pro 212, 5th

2014 IFBB New York Pro 212, 3rd

2014 IFBB Europa Dallas 212, 4th

2014 IFBB Arnold Classic Brazil, 9th

2013 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 16th

2013 IFBB Nordic Pro, 1st

2013 IFBB Mr. Europe Pro, 2nd

2013 IFBB Arnold Classic Brazil, 10th

2013 IFBB FIBO Power Germany, 12th

2012 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 16th

2012 IFBB Nordic Pro, 4th

2012 IFBB Mr. Europe Grand Prix, 3rd

2012 IFBB FIBO Power Germany, 4th

2008 IFBB World Amateur Championships, 1st

3. Cedric McMillan

American bodybuilder Cedric McMillan passed away at 44 years old from a suspected cardiac arrest in April of this year.McMillan, a seasoned veteran of the US Army and National Guard, was a successful bodybuilder and 2017 winner of the Arnold Classic.

Cedric McMillan Accomplishments

2020 Arnold Classic: 6th

2019 Japan Pro: 2nd

2019 Romania Muscle Fest Pro: 1st

2019 Hungary Pro: 1st

2019 Mr. Olympia: 7th

2019 Arnold Classic Australia: 2nd

2019 Arnold Classic: 4th

2018 Mr. Olympia: 9th

2018 Toronto Pro: 3rd

2018 Arnold Classic: 3rd

2017 Ferrigno Legacy: 2nd

2017 Mr. Olympia: 10th

2017 Arnold Classic: 1st

2016 Arnold Classic Australia: 2nd

2016 Arnold Classic: 2nd

2016 Levrone Pro Classic: 1st

2015 Nordic Pro: 3rd

2015 Europa Atlantic City Pro: 2nd

2015 Golden State Pro: 1st

2015 Arnold Classic South America: 2nd

2015 Arnold Classic: 4th

2014 Arnold Classic: 3rd

2013 Mr. Olympia: 12th

2013 New York Pro: 12th

2013 FIBO Power Germany: 1st

2013 Arnold Classic: 6th

2012 New York Pro: 1st

2011 Europa Orlando Pro: 1st

2011 New York Pro: 11th

2010 Europa Dallas Pro: 4th

2009 NPC National Championships: 1st

2008 NPC Junior USA Championships: 1st

4. Dallas McCarver 

Dallas McCarver passed away suddenly in August 2017 at only 26 years old. McCarver, a former top 10 placer at Mr. Olympia and the boyfriend of WWE star Dana Brooke, apparently choked on food.

Dallas McCarver Accomplishments

2012 North American Championships - IFBB, Overall Winner

2012 North American Championships - IFBB, Super-HeavyWeight, 1st

2015 California Pro - IFBB, Winner

2015 Olympia - IFBB, Open, 13th

2016 Arnold Classic Europe - IFBB, 9th

2016 Chicago Pro Championships - IFBB, Open, 1st

2016 Olympia - IFBB, Open, 8th

2017 Arnold Classic - IFBB, Open, 2nd

2017 New Zealand Pro - IFBB, Open, 2nd

5. George Peterson

George Peterson, another bodybuilder, was taken too young. He died in November 2021 after being discovered in his hotel room just a day before he was due to compete in Florida. He was only 37.

According to an announcement from the event’s organizers Olympia LLC on Instagram, the bodybuilding website Barbend reported his death.

George Peterson  Accomplishments

2013 North American Championships, IFBB Men’s Heavyweight, 18th place

2013 National Championships, NPC Men’s Heavyweight, 16th place

2016 Eastern USA Championships, NPC Men’s Classic Physique Class B, 1st place

2016 National Championships, NPC Men’s Classic Physique Class B, Overall, 1st place –  Won the Pro Card

2017 New York Pro, IFBB Men’s Classic Physique, 2nd place

2017 Tampa Pro, IFBB Men’s Classic Physique, 1st place

2017 Joe Weider’s Mr. Olympia, IFBB Men’s Classic Physique, 3rd place

6. Shawn Rhoden

Shawn Rhoden, Mr. Olympia, died in November aged 46. In the hours leading up to his sudden death, the bodybuilder posted multiple times on his Instagram account. His final post included a chilling omen in its caption.

Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden passed away in November of last year at only 46 years old. According to Generation Iron, Rhoden died of a heart attack.

Shawn Rhoden Accomplishments

2016 Mr. Olympia – 2nd

2015 EVL’s Prague Pro – 3rd

2015 Mr. Olympia – 3rd

2014 IFBB San Marino Pro – 1st

2014 EVL’s Prague Pro – 3rd

2014 Dubai Pro – 2nd

2014 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe – 2nd

2014 Mr. Olympia – 3rd

2014 IFBB Australian Pro – 1st

2014 IFBB Arnold Classic – 2nd

2013 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe – 4th

2013 Mr. Olympia – 4th

2012 IFBB EVL’s Prague Pro – 2nd

2012 IFBB British Grand Prix – 1st

2012 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe – 1st

2012 Mr. Olympia – 3rd

2012 IFBB Dallas Europa Supershow – 1st

2012 IFBB PBW Tampa Pro – 1st

2012 NPC Dexter Jackson Classic – NP

2012 IFBB Arnold Classic – 8th

2012 IFBB FLEX Pro – 4th

2011 Mr. Olympia – 11th

2011 IFBB Dallas Europa Super Show – 3rd

2010 IFBB Dallas Europa Super Show – 16th

7. Paul Poloczek 

Just hours before his death in May of this year, Polish strongman Paul Poloczek had been competing at the NPC Worldwide Championship in Germany. The cause of death for the 37-year-old has not been confirmed by doctors or his family, so it is still unknown how he passed away.

Paul Poloczek Accomplishments

2018 ARNOLD CLASSIC 2018 - unplaced

2018 NEW YORK PRO 2018 - unplaced

2017 Arnold Classic Amateur 2017 - 1st place and overall winner

2015 IFBB Amateur Olympia 2015 - place - 2nd place

2013 Arnold Classic 2013 – Platz 2

2013 German Championships 2013 – IFBB Super-HeavyWeight – Platz 2

2012 Loaded Cup Overall Winner

2010 Polish Cup – Platz 2

2008 Body- Xtreme 2008 - 6th place

2008 International German Championship 2008 - 3rd place

2005 Juniors Vice-Champion in 2005

2004 Juniors Champion 

8. Andy Haman

In March of last year, American bodybuilding icon and actor Andy Haman passed away at the age of 54. He was nicknamed Mr. Incredible and is said to have died from a pulmonary embolism – a blocked blood vessel in his lungs.

9. John Meadows

John Meadows, a viral bodybuilding star known as the Mountain Dog, was tragically found dead at the age of 49 in August 2021. John had an extensive 30-year-long career and more than 500,000 YouTube followers, where he posted workout videos for people to follow.

He passed away from a blood clot 18 months after having a heart attack – a condition that is unfortunately common among bodybuilders due to the immense pressure they put on their hearts during their careers.

10. Rich Piana

Sarah, the estranged wife of celebrity US bodybuilder Rich Piana, broke the devastating news of his death on Instagram back in August 2017. The 46-year-old collapsed at his

She penned, "I'm crying as I write this that @1dayumay has just passed away. I can hardly believe this... I am so grieved & devastated that he didn't make it.

"I want to express my gratitude to Rich for teaching me a lot about life, whether it was the easy or hard way."

It’s always tragic when somebody dies young, but it’s especially sad when it’s someone who was in the prime of their life.

These bodybuilders all had so much potential and we can only imagine what they could have accomplished if they had lived longer.