News of Vance’s death was confirmed by her family, who told her followers on Instagram that they believed that she’d suffered a sudden fatal heart attack.
They wrote alongside a photo of her holding up two medals: “From Jodi’s family and loved ones: for those that haven’t heard yet, Jodi passed away yesterday afternoon.
“Her heart stopped due to complications of severe dehydration. Despite all efforts by the hospital, they were unable to revive her.
“She was a beautiful person inside and out and she will be missed every single day.”
They added: “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.”
TMZ has obtained audio from the 911 call made by Vance’s wife, which reveals the bodybuilder had been vomiting in the hours leading up to her death.
In the call, a woman is heard telling the dispatcher: “My wife is passed out in bed. She won’t wake up.
“She’s groaning. She’s been throwing up all morning, but now she won’t wake up or respond to us.”
The call also reveals that the pair had been staying at a hotel in Columbus, Ohio, at the time of Vance’s death on February 27.
Medics were dispatched to the Sonesta Columbus Downtown hotel, but Vance was tragically pronounced dead at 12.51PM after being transported to Grant Medical Center.
The Franklin County Corner’s Office has not released an official cause of death, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Vance, who is from Amarillo, Texas, is believed to have been in Columbus for the Arnold Sports Festival, however, a spokesperson for the event told the outlet that she was not competing, nor a vendor, for the event, with TMZ claiming she was there to help coach pupils.
The 20-year-old’s trainer, Justin Mihaly, shared further details with the permission of the bodybuilder’s mother, Jenny.
He claimed that Vance “made a significant error that should not be taken lightly” and had been using “dangerous” substances to “improve her physique” without his “knowledge or approval”, which had led to her fatal dehydration.
Mihaly told his followers: “You’re welcome to direct your blame towards me if that’s how you believe we can best honor Jodi.”
He explained: “Jodi used two extremely hazardous substances to improve her physique,” claiming she did so without telling him or her family that she was using them.
“The health had become quite concerning,” Mihaly said of Vance’s condition in recent months. “Many people who loved Jodi tried to get her to pull off the gas pedal a bit.
“Her work ethic was actually second to nobody. It was so hard getting her to pull back.”
He added that her vitals which were taken at the hospital appeared to show that she had taken a substance she’d previously expressed interest in, and which he’d warned her against using.
“We now know that it was being used,” Mihaly claimed.
He alleged that her blood tests showed “insanely high” readings for potassium, indicating that she had likely used a specific diuretic, according to Mihaly.
He claimed that the diuretic “combined with the harsh fat-burning drug” likely caused Vance to “code”, meaning her heart stopped.
Our thoughts remain with Vance’s family and loved ones at this devastating time.
