Bodybuilder and coach Jodi Vance passed away last week while traveling to attend the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, OH. She was just 20 years old.
According to The Columbus Dispatch, she was taken by paramedics from the Sonesta Columbus Downtown hotel, where she was staying, to the nearby Grant Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. She was not physically present at the event at the time or planning to compete herself, but reportedly planned to support other athletes.
“Her heart stopped due to complications of severe dehydration. Despite all efforts by the hospital, they were unable to revive her,” her family shared on social media. “She was a beautiful person inside and out and she will be missed every single day. This was sudden and unexpected. Please give her family time to process this loss in peace. If anyone takes anything from this, please put your health first.”
In a lengthy video statement posted to Instagram, Vance’s coach Justin Mihaly said that a potentially deadly combination of substances may have contributed to her tragic passing, although the coroner’s office has not released an official cause of death.
Jodi made a significant error,” he claimed. “Jodi used two extremely hazardous substances to improve her physique—I assume just for the Arnold Expo—without my knowledge, my approval, without family’s knowledge or approval.”
Vance shared her bodybuilding pursuits to over 7,000 Instagram followers. She had recently placed third in the Women’s Physique division of the 2024 NPC Battle of Texas.
