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Fitness influencer Gabriel Ganley, a Brazilian bodybuilder<\/a> with millions of social media followers, has died.<\/p>\n He was 22.<\/p>\n His sudden death was caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy<\/a>, Brazilian news service NSC Total reported Monday, after obtaining the death certificate.<\/p>\n Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a thickening of the heart muscle<\/a> that can make it hard for the vital organ to relax and pump blood properly, according to the Mayo Clinic. It\u2019s most often due to genetic abnormalities in the heart muscle<\/a>, the American Heart Association notes on its website. Most people don\u2019t know they have it, and in rare cases it \u201ccan cause heart-related sudden death,\u201d Mayo said. \u201cAs a result, sudden cardiac death might be the first sign of the condition.\u201d<\/p>\n A friend found Ganley face down on his kitchen floor<\/a> Saturday morning after the athlete hadn\u2019t been heard from since the previous Thursday, NSC Total reported.<\/p>\n The S\u00e3o Paulo Public Security Secretariat said it was investigating his death as suspicious, even though the friend who found him noted \u201cno apparent signs of violence<\/a>\u201d at the scene, CNN Brasil reported. On Monday the PSS said it was continuing to investigate while awaiting further test results.<\/p>\n Police responding to the scene on Saturday seized several medications, possibly anabolic steroids, NSC Total reported, citing a police report. Ganley\u2019s mother traveled to Sao Paolo as soon as she heard of her son\u2019s death. When she had last spoken with Gabriel on Thursday, he seemed fine and had no health complaints, she told NSC. She also said her son had no heart disease history.<\/p>\n Ganley was known for generously sharing his workout videos and fitness information with his followers via Instagram (2.3 million), TikTok (1.3 million) and YouTube (403,000), inspiring them along the way. He himself began lifting at age 15<\/a>, inspired by videos of iconic bodybuilders from the 1980s and \u201890s. Among his feats, Ganley had once gone viral for an Instagram video of him leg pressing 500 kg<\/a> (about 1,100 pounds).<\/p>\n The bodybuilding world<\/a> mourned Ganley<\/a>, who was just a few weeks away from competing in Brazil\u2019s biggest bodybuilding tournament, Musclecontest Brazil.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have lost far more than a talented and dedicated athlete with a brilliant future ahead of him,\u201d supplement manufacturer Integral M\u00e9dica, which sponsors Ganley, said in a statement confirming his death. \u201cWe have lost a sports influencer who inspired thousands of young people daily<\/a> with his energy, discipline, and authenticity. Ganley left his mark wherever he went. His charisma, his presence, and his passion for life will remain alive in the memories of all who had the privilege of knowing him and walking alongside him.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n