Bodybuilder, 26, dies in his sleep after friends noticed neck blood vessels were 'bulging abnormally' and his lips were purple
A bodybuilding influencer has died in his sleep at the age of 26 after friends noticed his lips were purple and the veins in his neck were protruding.
Bi Jiaqi had been chatting to his friends online in the hours before his death, and had been discussing plans for his next bodybuilding competition.
In the weeks leading up to his untimely death on Friday (January 30), the star had bought a new house and was having it renovated. He had reportedly planned to host his friends for a dinner party once the renovation was complete - but he never got to move in.
The influencer was known to his fans for posting videos about his intense workouts, as well as showing off the results of those workouts with photos of his toned physique.
Friends have since said they realised that something was wrong with Jiaqi in the days leading up to his death, but thought that his apparent ill-health was due to training fatigue. While looking at recent photos, they noticed his lips looked purple, his eyes were tired and the blood vessels in his neck were bulging abnormally.
They suggested that these symptoms were a result of oxygen deficiency and circulatory problems, which can lead to cardiac arrest. The exact cause of Jiaqi’s death has yet to be announced, however.
His death came just weeks after the Chinese star posted a selfie on his social media and joked that his "head was swollen like a steamed bun." His training partners apparently thought this was a normal reaction to extreme fat loss and pre-competition dehydration.
His sudden death has now sparked discussions within the fitness community about the potential health risks associated with extreme training and competition preparation.
Many of his fans commented on social media with messages of condolence. A lot said “RIP bro”.
Jiaqi’s body will soon undergo an autopsy to establish the exact cause of death.