Death of Mike Mentzer - Mr. Olympia 1980 Competition Results Great article, but the accomplished must be revisited. A meeting was called, withmany reports claiminginsults wereexchanged between Mentzer and Schwarzenegger and that a fight nearly broke out. In fact, carbohydrates made up the bulk of Rays diet. Then also theres a lot of supplements in health stores that are designed for heavy, regular workouts, and Mentzer also sounded like he did not get regular sleep cycles. Goldman consistently found that the majority of athletes would eagerly accept the deal. Discover the cheat that athletes use to cut fat quickly and get defined muscles. It's probably even more true that other bodybuilding-related drugs bring higher risks than anabolic steroids. After a day of shooting, Ray turned In her testimony in April, Greenberger denied that she was involved in the murder, saying that her ex-lover, Mentzer, killed Radin on the orders of Bellechesses. At least do light reps a couple of those days for arms, delts, lats, upper legs, abs. He begantraining 3 times a week and bythe age of 15, Mikecould bench press 370lb (170kg), with a body weight of just165lbs (75kg). The weight would be so heavy that by the 9th rep, Ray would reach failure. Id answer them back. Mike was 49 and Ray was 47. During a check-up, Mike discovered that he had severe heart issues, which meant that the kidney transplant was off the table. Mike being Mike, stayed up late to work on the scripts. Ray suffered from kidney failure caused by Berger's Disease. The mortician said that Raymond Mentzer, who suffered from kidney problems and had been undergoing dialysis treatments, appeared very shaken by his brothers "I was still using amphetamines, and that use, in association with the series of traumas, did something to my mind that I'm fairly clear about today, although these things are very complex. In 1999, Ray started kidney Mikes form would be kept absolutely perfect. It's an undeniable fact that numerous top-level bodybuilders have died from some variation of "natural causes" often a heart attack or some form of organ failure before they hit 40 years old. Mike Mentzer Really. Previously, he had started dieting 12 weeks out. Think about it. One of the core principles of Rays training was doing low reps and heavy weight. Not 48 hours later, Ray was found dead in his apartment losing his battle against Bergers Disease. He never wrote me off.. He claimedhe needed it for productivity, and didnt use it for recreation. As reported at some length in the June 14th, 2001 edition of the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles County coroner's office is currently investigating the deaths of bodybuilding brothers Mike and Ray Mentzer, who died within two days of each other. Dunn is a California native who has worked as a dishwasher in Sacramento, a printer in San Francisco and a bicycle repairman in Walnut Creek. Champion bodybuilders are known only to the relatively-small community who follow this fringe sport. In 1980, he lost the title to Schwarzenegger, and the embittered Mentzer stated publicly that he felt he was robbed. Kaiserman said he thought the jurys decision showed that they believed Greenberger had not intended to murder Radin, but rather to kidnap him to find out who was behind a large theft of cocaine from Greenbergers residence. After making funeral arrangements for his brother, Ray Originally, Mike's body was sent to a funeral home in nearby Torrance. Here's where they're hiding. The Ray Mentzer bodybuilding biography is one of the sadder ones in the history of the sport. 06/28/01 - New information on this tragedy can be found HERE! It was a crushing blow. * Convicted of second-degree murder and kidnaping. He left Weider publications, and by 1982, his annual income "Had gone from $200,000 a year to zero.". Death record, obituary, funeral notice and information about the deceased person. At a bodyweight of a then unthinkable 250 plus pounds, he added even more muscle within a month. Greatest Physiques is the number 1 destination for the best looking bodies on the planet. Performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) is the term the public associates with anabolic steroids, even though it's a general category that can include anything from insulin to EPO, a blood "doping" endurance booster, and various non-steroid stimulants. CLICK HERE! Rays intense training was often followed by 3-4 days of complete rest. Ashley Dunn is the former weekend editor at the Los Angeles Times. What can you take from this? Carrier said neither body has been examined, so the causes of death have not been determined. Rice Mortuary in Torrance. Mikesfirst set of weights wasbought for him by his father. Your email address will not be published. Death Dunn joined The Times in 1986 as a suburban reporter in the San Gabriel Valley and later moved to the Metro section, where he participated in coverage of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and the 1992 Los Angeles riots. He has been a life saver for me, from last in my class in high school and 130lbs to 1985 Jr. Mr. Mississippi,1987 Mr. Mississippi,1985 Middle weight Southern Classic,1987 Light Heavy 3rd place Southern Classic,1988 Heavyweight 3rd place Southern Classic, on the same stage with Shawn Ray when he won Nationals,U.S. In her testimony, Greenberger said Evans had nothing to do with Radins death. WebThere was no obviously apparent cause of death, but medical records indicate that he had a history of heart problems. It was these three unfortunate events, combined with the continued use of amphetamines that would lead to Mike Mentzers decline. 1979 IFBB Florida Pro Invitational 1st Iwrote in my book Heavy Duty II: Mind and Body that the idea is not more is better or less is better but precise is best; and as I learned from training close to 2,000 people plus myself that the precise amount of exercise required to induce optimal growth stimulation isnt nearly as much as youve been led to believe or would like to believe.. He later competed in Mr. America, Mr. World, Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia contests. Greenberger introduced Radin to Evans and together they struck a deal to finance The Cotton Club.. A case of riseand fall. I was taking them as ergogenic aids, to facilitate my hectic lifestyle. beat inmate hours before So, how much is Ray Mentzer worth at the age of 48 years old? in Community Counseling,Ph.D. And the more that look was rewarded, the more competitors pursued it. Ray would later become a bodybuilding legend for his vascular 20+ inch arms, and for reaching a then unthinkable 275lbs of weight. If you're a vegetarian who's serious about strength training, you need to know how to optimize your diet to get the best results. In the last 15 years, roughly one in five wrestler deaths were connected to recreational drug overdose. 7 Things No One Tells You Before You Start Lifting, Tip: Avoid Xenoestrogens and Phytoestrogens, Tip: Surround Yourself With These 5 People. From there, it wasonward and upwards. In 1983, he flew to Florida in order to be trained by Arthur Jones. Is it for money? I wasnt in control of my mind although I thought he was.. may have contributed, there was a history of heart disease in the Mentzer family - all of them died fairly young. It was at that event that Mikewould would be introduced toArthur Jones. WebA native of Germantown, Pennsylvania, he died of heart failure in Rolling Hills, California at the age of forty-nine. Your email address will not be published. He was 33 years old. Ray Mentzer - Greatest Physiques Big Dead Bodybuilders - T NATION Rolling Hills, California, United States. The passionate, dedicated and knowledgeable bodybuilder. Died from multiple organ failure in 1996, age 32. He won the Mr. Olympia title in 1979. Gross abuse of anabolic steroids (AAS), growth hormone, insulin, and diuretics are some of the major factors believed to be responsible for a disproportionate number of lean and muscular corpses. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a40bbc091972361b92bafe047762c2f0" );document.getElementById("de63bbf7bd").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Mike certainly had a great mind for bodybuilding. He was called as a witness during the preliminary hearing but refused to testify, claiming 5th Amendment protection against self-incrimination. Cardiovascular disease and drug overdose were found to cause an overwhelming majority of the deaths, with wrestlers being 15 times more likely to experience a cardiovascular-related death and a shocking 122 times more likely to die from drugs compared to non-athletes. As Workout Magazine ceased, Mike soon afterlost his beloved father, and, as if there wasnt enough for the bodybuilder to handle, his 10-year relationship with fiancee Cathy Gelfocame to an end. One year earlier, in 1979 Mike had started using amphetamines. And would these competitors have lived much longer without using them? However, things didn't progress the way Mike had hoped, and after six months, he and Jones severed their business relationship. "Bodybuilders' Deaths Lead to Investigation", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ray_Mentzer&oldid=1121569006, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 13 November 2022, at 00:22. Many competitive bodybuilders and even non-competitive lifters have. Many have felt that steroids had contributed to the deaths of both brothers but this truly is speculation. I'd read the literature on amphetamines and had never heard of any long-term physical damage, but I did know that it could possibly result in acute episodes of psychosis. The combination of being emotionally distraught, which can cause an individual to lose conceptual control, exacerbated by my use of amphetamines did something to my emotional core that led me to perform irrational acts that I thought were rational. The doctors put him on a kidney dialysis treatment soon after, along with putting him on a kidney transplant waiting list. Joe Weider rehired Mike in the fall of that year, but after six months, Mentzer left to assume the editorship of. Two days before the 1980 Olympia tookplace, Mike was revisited by thedeaths door feeling. Check out our top rated fat burners to find out what actually works. In 1982, after years of competing, Mike decided to step down from his competitive career and focus on new endeavors. Known for his feats at the 1978 IFBB Mr. USA and 1979s, Ray was a sight to be seen during his prime. 06/28/01 - New information on this tragedy can be found. ), "I didn't think there was anything wrong in taking stimulants to make me work as hard as I was. I was a productive genius, but I had lost sight of the fact that the body and the mind have limitations. Is it worth injecting? MENTZER There was a strain and tension in the air all the way through.. . The cause of death has not Ray Mentzer died at age 92 years old on June 21, 1995. The Legendary Mentzer Brothers Nevertheless, Mike moved in with Ray so that he could look after his brother better. Lipscomb said that because a death occurred during the kidnaping, Greenberger and Lowe will be in prison for the rest of their lives. Ray Mentzer was born on 2 August, 1953 in Pennsylvania, United States. There was no obviously apparent cause of death, but medical records indicate that he had a history of heart problems. Mentzers body was discovered by his younger brother Ray Mentzer Sunday in the apartment they shared in Redondo Beach, California. Ray Menzter, age 47, was reportedly very shaken up by the Great profile! These guys aren't trying to earn a paycheck with their muscle, nor are they trying to win any contests. Mike battled his demons for 5 years and was admitted to hospital on several occasions. Our exclusive interview with Val Segal, the person who spent the last hours with Mike and Ray Mentzer! In 1979, he had started taking amphetamines: "Not for the purpose of getting high - that was the furthest thing from my mind. It just didnt feel like a normal contest; no one was being their usual self. Achieving lower body fat with a higher body weight meant packing on more muscle. * Former bodyguard for Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt. Rice said that although Michael Mentzer had appeared robust, his medical records showed that he had a history of coronary-related problems.. In the midst of the chaos that day, Ray completely forgot that he needed to turn up for his kidney dialysis treatment. Later that night at the brothers apartment, despite Ray telling him he should turn in, Mike continued to work on the DVDs script. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 48 years old? "I'd exhausted all avenues of thought on my predicament, and realized, On Saturday June 9, 2001 after a long day he wrapped filming of the DVD he so wanted to finish. Mike Mentzers training style developed from HIT, High-Intensity Training that was founded by Arthur Jones in the 70s. However, year also marked his worstdefeat; 10th place at the AAU Mr. America. I looked my best, but I didnt feel at my best. He was declared dead Monday, about 24 hours after his brother died. While steroids, amphetamines, smoking, etc. And yet, there were still occasions when the demons visited. He started dieting in February for the October contest. Thats all correct now! Another study in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology looked into the prevalence of kidney disease among steroid-using bodybuilders over two years and found signs of disease in the majority of lifters, some of it irreversible and irreparable. It seemed the curtain had come crashing down in tragic Shakespearian style on Mike Mentzers last act and his name would fade into just a footnote on 20, 2013 NPC Steve Stone New York Metropolitan, 2013 NPC National Bodybuilding Championships, 2014 NPC Steve Stone New York Metropolitan, Myostatin, Creatine and Wine - But Not All at Once, Physicians and Bodybuilders - Satellite Cells. I saw no problem for me because I was convinced I was focused enough and that my use was channeled in a positive direction. [Mike had taken a three year course, commencing in 1974, at the University of Mayland, with the eventual goal of being a psychiatrist , but he dropped out in 1977 disillusioned with the subject. Our exclusive interview with Val Segal, the person who spent the last hours with Mike and Ray Mentzer! 1971 AAU Mr. America 10th in Phychology,BSN in Nursing, now 16 year old son will compete in Teen Mr. Mississippi in July! * Convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances, subject to the death penalty. The jury also found that Mentzer and Marti killed Radin for financial gain during a kidnaping--special circumstances that open the possibility of death in the gas chamber for both men. I need he steroid routine. I just have to comment that Burt should get a life and realize that if he was half the man Mike was hed be something! "John Little was one of the few who didn't approach me on the ignorant assumption that I was a 'loony' or a 'crazy.' While there were no reported long term side effects at the time, Mike began to suffer from fatigue, and would spend full days in bed without being able to even lift an arm. Ray died just two days after discovering his brother Mike Mentzer's dead body in the very same apartment due to heart failure. Hed break down a typical bodybuilders diet into the following: Mans proper stature is not one of mediocrity, failure, frustration, or defeat, but one of achievement, strength, and nobility. In a career that spanned over three decades, he was one of bodybuildings most Check out our top rated fat burners to find out what actually works. 1979 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Invitational 2nd Two days later, Ray died from complications from his long battle with Berger's disease. I was using a lot of amphetamines to make me productive. Greatest Physiques is the number 1 destination for the best looking bodies on the planet. MIKE AND RAY MENTZER DEAD - billdobbins.com Once he reached that point, Ray would have his training partner help him do another 2-3 forced reps, controlling the weight with slow and perfect form. WebNationality: American. Full Name: Ray MentzerWeightNationalityProfessionEra225 - 235lbs (102.1 - 106.6kg)AmericanBodybuilder1970, 1980Weight225 - 235lbs (102.1 - 106.6kg)NationalityAmericanProfessionBodybuilderEra1970, 1980. In 1971, Mikewon his first competition, the Mr. Lancaster at the age of 18. We will update Ray Mentzer's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 2 August. Greenberger called Mentzer the murderer. 1979 IFBB Night of Champions 3rd Heres what Bill said about Ray and Mike; Mike and Ray Mentzer used to write to me when they were young kids back in Pennsylvania. [en] Vital records: Ray Mentzer at +Archives Friday. Data was collected from 1985 to 2011 and demonstrated that wrestlers were three to four times more likely than the general population to die between 30 and 50 years old. WebThe cause of Mike Mentzer's death was not disclosed, pending a coroner's investigation. While initially inspired by Bill Pearl, Mikes whole training philosophy was based on the work of Arthur Jones and HIT. In short, man can and ought to be a hero.. In 1983, Ray continued training extremely hard, using various routines. He contracted Bergers disease. Ray was troubled by this because he knew his brother had heart problems, and didnt want him to overtax his body. Thirty years ago, the average non-professional athlete was uninterested in using steroids. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. Radins decomposed body was found a month after his disappearance. Dont make the same mistake.. Los Angeles County sheriffs investigators had all but ended their investigation of Radins murder, but a break came in 1987 when they met William Rider, the brother-in-law and onetime security chief for Larry Flynt, publisher of Hustler magazine. Its hard not to surmise that in his frail state of health (in the previous few months he had been rushed to the local emergency room several times) the death of his beloved brother was just too much to bear. Ray Mentzer (August 3, 1953 June 12, 2001) born in Philadelphia was the 1976 Junior Mr. America, 1978 IFBB Mr. USA and was winner of the 1979 AAU Mr. America competition. Ray Mentzer Monday morning, June 11, 2001, an e-mail was sent to us saying that Mike Mentzer has passed away June 9th. The Ray Mentzer story is one of success, but also tragedy. He was a proponent of heavy duty training along with Mike and although retiring from competition in 1982, carried on training to the heavy duty high intensity principles. As Mike puts it in his book Heavy Duty: The fact that muscle is only 22 percent protein suggests that our protein requirements are not nearly that high. Arnold Schwarzenegger - He's been named the Austrian Oak, The Terminator,John Matrix, Mr. It just didn't feel like a normal contest; no one was being their usual self. As he waited for the kidney transplant, Ray discovered that his brother Mike had serious heart issues which led to Mikes death on June 10th, 2001. He also made similar calls to Joe Weider and photographer Chris Lund, with whom he had worked on books and other projects. * 1987: About 4 1/2 years after the murder, sheriffs investigators receive first major break in the case when they are introduced to William Rider, former brother-in-law and security supervisor for Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt. I need to know the steroid cycle. However,two people remained and supported him; a senior writer for Flex magazine called John Little, and Mikesex-girlfriend Julie McNew. It was that morning that Mike was to be found dead by his sibling. B comes in). However, given the suspicious circumstances of the deaths of two brothers dying within two days of each other, the remains of both Mike and Ray have been sent to the coroner's office in order to determine cause of death. Carrier said Michael John Mentzer, 49, a champion bodybuilder whose competitive career ended when he lost the Mr. Olympia title to Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1980, died Sunday morning. We may be able to send a man to the moon, he said later, but when it comes to recognizing the rightful winner of the 1980 Olympiad, mankind is surely arrested in its development., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Best coffee city in the world? The Heavy Duty, as he became known was born and raised in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. They cant take away the pain and no one can bring him back.. How Mike Mentzer Died: Cause of Death, Age at Death, and More! - Celebs Who Died How Mike Mentzer Died: Cause of Death, Age at Death, and More! Mike Mentzer reached the not so modest age of 49 years. Find out the cause of death and more exciting information regarding the death of this famous Bodybuilder. Hoe to get them. Lived: 78 years. The weightsmoved in a perfectly controlled and slow manner. Digesting that loss, Mike planned to leave no stone unturned in his onslaught for the 1980 Olympia crown. He published numerous fitness-themed books, including Heavy Duty Nutrition and High-Intensity Training the Mike Mentzer Way. It was early May of 2001, when out of the blue I received a phone call in FLEXs LA office from Mike Mentzer. Arnold didnt even like cardio you know, probably because he didnt quite like a strict regimen diet. Lowes attorney, Mark Kaiserman, said he also was disappointed in the verdicts and vowed to appeal. He was a millionaire by 20 and lived lavishly in a mansion on Long Island. Coming from a well-educated home, Mikesfather would regularly test and encouragehis academic knowledge using various rewards, including cash to ensure he excelled. . Do any supplements work? He was known for being a Bodybuilder. Its hard not to surmise that in his frail state of health (in the previous few months he had been rushed to the local emergency room several times) the death of his beloved brother was just too much to bear. What to take. 1971 AAU Teen Mr America 2nd WebI watched Mike Mentzer's star rise in the '70s and later came to know him a little. 2023 Greatest Physiques. He is a member of famous with the age 48 years old group. After the autopsy, it turned out that the cause of death was a heart attack, a large dose of anesthetic was found in the man's body, and it contributed to the cardiac arrest. A 2014 study looked into a connection between anabolic steroids and cardiovascular function. Three months after his death, it was found that Mikes typical training split would look something like this: Dont underestimate the value of a well-balanced diet. There certainly may be cases where underlying natural causes were a key factor in a death, but it seems to be a common and unfortunate go-to excuse whenever a physique athlete dies. They're just average lifters wanting to look better. After making funeral arrangements for his brother, Ray Mentzer's body was found in bed at the apartment. Id never dreamed theyd end up like they were, but Mike and Ray are genetic freaks., Ray Mentzer was one of the bodybuilding greats of his era. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a3ca1a8fdbeffdd8bb7f5786098d8b9d" );document.getElementById("de63bbf7bd").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); If you're a vegetarian who's serious about strength training, you need to know how to optimize your diet to get the best results. But the next morning, he was back to "being a productive genius. We cover professional athletes, models and even social media stars to bring you the very best, up to date information in our profiles. He would talk with me at length, and I remember those conversations with fondness, which causes me to think fondly of John Little. The statements made have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (U.S.). He is from United States. Id answer them back. RIP. Rather than wallow in the dark aspects of Ray's death, it would be better to look towards his interesting life instead. He never wrote me off., In January 1990 a hospitalized Mike experienced a Eureka moment. It may be more accurate to say steroids don't kill people, abusing steroids kills people. Evans, the former chief of Paramount Pictures and the producer of such hits as Chinatown and The Godfather, was not charged in the crime. RIP Mike. Q: Where is Mike Mentzer buried? Greenberger, 43, and Robert Lowe, 44, were convicted of second-degree murder and kidnaping, requiring an automatic life sentence without possibility of parole.