The autopsy of Andreas Munzer illustrated how the bodybuilding trend can abruptly end a life.
In the world of bodybuilding, the focus has shifted significantly.
It is no longer about constructing a well-formed physique; it has become fixated on achieving sheer size.
The question of ‘how big can a man get’ can only be addressed with the help of anabolic steroids, as achieving substantial size naturally is quite limited.
Once you delve into the world of performance-enhancing substances, it becomes nearly impossible to cease their usage.
The concept of off-season no longer exists in the world of bodybuilding, or at least not for those who depend on steroids.
The story of Andreas Munzer serves as undeniable evidence that bodybuilding is heavily besieged by steroid use and is far from a pursuit of proper fitness.
9. Andreas Munzer
He utilized the technique of diuretics which reduces the body’s retention of water and dehydrates it completely. The effect is shrinking the skin and muscles on the surface of the body. This resulted in stomach aches and organ failure and ultimately death. pic.twitter.com/wgLWJtrYda
— Ehrmantraut™🇺🇸 (@ehr_man) June 7, 2022
Recently, a photograph depicting the lifeless body of a bodybuilder went viral, causing a significant uproar despite the absence of the individual’s identifiable features.
The individual in this widely circulated image was Andreas Munzer, an Austrian bodybuilder whose untimely demise on March 14th, 1996, cast yet another shadow of doubt over the integrity of the sport of bodybuilding.
The incident gave the world a chilling illustration of the extreme lengths to which bodybuilding at the highest level can go.
It revived the recurring question of how many steroids are deemed excessive.
Munzer’s death, unquestionably attributed to steroid abuse, raised serious concerns.
An examination of his body confirmed the worst fears.
During the peak of his career, Munzer weighed 240 pounds and consistently competed with less than 5% body fat.
Bruh what.
Andreas Munzer died at close to 0%, confirmed by an autopsy. I’m sure bodybuilders are regularly below 5% during competition, most probably shooting for 2-3%.
— Zach Crawford (@zcrawford2) February 29, 2020
Both fellow competitors and fans admired his incredibly defined physique.
He ardently pursued his passion, striving to present his absolute best at every competition.
Regrettably, he was unaware that his unwavering desire to showcase an incredibly shredded physique on stage was irreversibly compromising his organ health.
On the morning of March 12th, 1996, Andreas Munzer received a devastating summons for the consequences of his actions.
He began experiencing internal bleeding, leading to his admission for medical observation.
Regrettably, the bleeding in his stomach persisted, causing his kidneys and liver to fail.
Given his critical condition, a blood transfusion was not feasible.
Ultimately, on March 14th, Munzer was declared deceased.
His unyielding obsession with maintaining an exceptionally lean and defined physique throughout the year, often referred to as “ripped” or “conditioned,” drove him to combine extensive use of anabolic steroids with low-calorie diets.
Andreas Munzer investigation findings
Munzer had a very muscular body with little fat under the skin.
It’s important to have some fat for the body to function properly.
Munzer’s liver was severely affected, showing large tumors the size of table tennis balls.
Almost half of his liver had turned into a pulpy plastic-like substance.
The weight of his liver was 2.9 kilograms, which is nearly a kilogram heavier than the average male liver that weighs around 2 kilograms.
Additionally, the bile ducts in his liver were enlarged and no longer functioning properly.
Munzer’s lungs were in a state of shock.
His kidneys were swollen and devoid of any fat.
The examination revealed that Munzer’s heart was enlarged, weighing 639 grams, while a normal adult male’s heart typically weighs around 300 grams.
Munzer’s testicles had significantly shrunk.
His body had an imbalanced electrolyte profile, and traces of approximately 20 different drugs were found in his blood.
It is evident from the examination reports that Andreas Munzer’s body suffered severe complications and organ damage, highlighting the detrimental effects of his extreme bodybuilding practices and substance abuse.
These were some of the most distressing consequences of steroid abuse on Munzer’s body, but there were additional factors contributing to his tragic demise.
His death was marked by excruciating pain.
Munzer became notorious for his extreme approach to achieving a shredded physique, which involved maintaining a 2000-calorie diet and using diuretics (drugs that deplete water) to enhance his muscle definition.
While most professional bodybuilders would only reach dangerously low body fat levels a few times a year, Munzer strived to maintain such extreme leanness year-round.
Unfortunately, this extreme practice ultimately cost him his life.
Munzer’s death remains one of the most distressing incidents in the history of bodybuilding.
