Panic stricken Australian bodybuilder Joshua Lenartowicz found Dallas McCarver not breathing and blue in his Boca Raton , Florida home and called 911.
There’s something in his throat. Every time I do mouth to mouth there’s like something in his throat I can’t get it out,’ Lenartowicz told the 911 operator.
‘He just gargles out.’
‘He was eating something.’
The champion bodybuilder Dallas McCarver died after he choked on his food at home in Florida.
The 26-year-old bodybuilding superstar known to fans as ‘Big Country’ was found unconscious Monday evening at his home in Boca Raton by a friend shortly after speaking on the phone with his girlfriend WWE star Dana Brooke, TMZ reported.
Brooke, whose real name is Ashley Mae Sebera, said the last thing McCarver told her was that he was going to cook dinner and said, ‘I love you. Goodbye.’
She said his cause of death is believed to be choking on food, and that she was told there were no signs of foul play.
In addition, she said it does not appear that the 26-year-old tried to harm himself.
Champion bodybuilder Dallas McCarver (above left in March and right in a photo shared to Instagram on Sunday) has died after he apparently choked on his food at home in Florida
The 26-year-old bodybuilding superstar known to fans as ‘Big Country’ was found unconscious Monday evening by a friend shortly after speaking on the phone with his girlfriend WWE star Dana Brooke, TMZ reported
Brooke (pictured together above) said the last thing McCarver told her was that he was going to cook dinner and said, ‘I love you. Goodbye.’ She said his cause of death is believed to be choking on food, and that she was told there were no signs of foul play
Public Information Manager of the Boca Raton Police Department Mark Economou told the Hollywood Life a similar statement and said, ‘the cause of death is pending on the Medical Examiner’s report. At this time foul play is not suspected.’
Earlier on Monday, McCarver appeared to be fine as he worked out in a local gym and posted a video to Instagram where he chest-pressed 160 pound dumbbells in each hand with the assistance of his friend Josh Lenartowicz.
He captioned the video: ‘Could’ve been a little slower and better under control wth (sic) these 160s today… but sometimes you’ve just got to let the intensity flow. Great chest day with @josh_lenartowicz in @project_flex_fl#DragonsLair ! That damn @redcon1official#Silencer had me sweating like a whore in church boy! Whew!!!! #HotAsHell #LoveIt#DoTheHardSfuff #bigcountry#dallasmccarver #outgrowyourego#redcon1’
McCarver was the face of RedCon1, an online sports supplement and training apparel site that he often promoted on his social media accounts.
The CEO of the RedCon1, Aaron Singeman, recounted in an emotional Facebook video how he found out that McCarver died.
Singeman said that Lenartowicz, who was McCarver’s roommate, ‘found him face down in the kitchen and not breathing.
Earlier on Monday, McCarver appeared to be fine as he worked out in a local gym and posted a video to Instagram where he chest-pressed 160 pound dumbbells in each hand (above)
He captioned the video: ‘Could’ve been a little slower and better under control wth (sic) these 160s today… but sometimes you’ve just got to let the intensity flow. Great chest day with @josh_lenartowicz in @project_flex_fl’
‘So they cleared out his passageways and removed the food in their, the blockage.
‘And Josh actually cleared the passageways and removed the blockage, did CPR and when the ambulance came they continued.
‘Brought him to the hospital and tried to resuscitate him, but unfortunately it didn’t work out.’
He added that McCarver ‘was generous and kind to everybody.’
The 6’1′, 300-lb athlete began competing in the bodybuilding circuit when he was 21 and quickly started winning popular competitions.
He placed first in the NPC Hub City Fitness Quest Junior Heavyweight category in 2011.
Last year he placed 8th in the 2016 Mr. Olympia competition.
Back in March, McCarver suffered a health scare when he collapsed onstage at the 2017 Arnold Classic Australia.
At the time, he apparently had an upper respiratory infection that became a ‘bad case of bronchitis’ which lead to his collapse, The Hollywood Life reported.
The 6’1′, 300-lb athlete began competing in the bodybuilding circuit when he was 21 and quickly started winning popular competitions. He placed first in the NPC Hub City Fitness Quest Junior Heavyweight category in 2011
He said that he was ‘ok’ and had his health under control.
Since word of his shocking death spread, fans and fellow athletes have flocked to social media offering their condolences.
Lenartowicz took to Instagram sharing a collage of photos of showing himself with McCarver.
‘Today we lost a great bodybuilder but an even greater person,’ he wrote in the post.
‘So many lives impacted, encouraged and uplifted because of your only life here on earth @dallasmccarver’.
Since word of his shocking death spread, fans and fellow athletes have flocked to social media offering their condolences. Lenartowicz took to Instagram sharing a collage of photos of showing himself with McCarver (above)
Fellow bodybuilder Sasan Heirati shared a photo of himself with McCarver on stage during a competition to Instagram as a tribute (above)
Fellow bodybuilder Sasan Heirati shared a photo of himself with McCarver on stage during a competition to Instagram as a tribute.
Heirati wrote: ‘R.I.P @dallasmccarver i had the honour of sharing the stage with you on my first ever pro show. I didn’t get a chance to get to know you but it really saddens me to lose such an icon and great bodybuilder for our time, at such a young age.
‘Never take life for granted. It really can end at any time. Be grateful for everyone and everything you have…’
Another professionals bodybuilder Dexter ‘The Blade’ Jackson also shared a photo to Instagram showing him alongside McCarver and wrote a touching tribute.
Jackson, who is the 2008 Mr. Olympia, wrote: ‘One of the saddest days ever for me. Dallas McCarver has passed!
Another professionals bodybuilder Dexter ‘The Blade’ Jackson also shared a photo to Instagram showing him alongside McCarver and wrote a touching tribute (above)
McCarver’s girlfriend also started replying back to some social media users who had offered her condolences over his shocking death
‘It hurts me so much because I was like a mentor to this young dude. I loved this dude!!
‘He was one of the realist for sure!! He would always call me Papa and I would say I ain’t your dad! Don’t call me that! R.I.P my brother! I love you Dallas!’
McCarver’s girlfriend also started replying back to some social media users who had offered her condolences over his shocking death.
‘Thank you Natti ! All we can do is be strong for him and pray like he would like,’ Brooke tweeted in reply to Natalya Neidhart, one of her WWE co-stars and friends.
Hours before McCarver’s death, Brooke shared a photo of them smiling together as her ‘Man Crush Monday’.
As the caption, Brooke wrote: ‘Still got some time left to post #mcm–someone who Day in and day out is helping and giving so much to so many people !@dallasmccarver is one of the most genuine people I have ever met’.