Bodybuilder influencer drowns while filming at beauty spot where tourists were banned as heartbroken family pay tribute
A CHINESE bodybuilder has died from drowning while reportedly filming at a beauty spot where tourists are banned from visiting.
Popular fitness blogger Liu Can, 27, had just recently opened two new fitness studios, which he promoted via his social media, before his tragic death.
His family said that his body had been cremated three days after the accident last Thursday, and that he had suffered an accident while filming the footage.
Local police confirmed the area of Nanchuan District, in China’s municipality of Chongqing, was not accessible to the public and tourists were banned from going there.
Liu’s devastated fans were later told of the heartbreaking news as tributes from his loved ones pour in.
A man, believed to be his uncle, said: “He was a very sunny, cheerful and kind child. We all loved him very much.
“His departure makes us feel extremely sad. We will hold a farewell funeral ceremony.
“Thank you to all the friends who have cared and supported him along the way.
“May he rest in peace in heaven, we will miss him forever.”
One of Liu’s pals, named as Mr Zhang, said that the bodybuilder used to be very thin and wanted to improve his physique through fitness, Chinese outlet Guancha reports.
It comes after another bodybuilder was shot dead by two gunmen on a motorbike on his way home from a football match.
Roberto Silva de Souza, 26, who had previously fought off two armed robbers, was killed in the Brazilian town of Belém.
Roberto, who was studying nutrition, was approached by two men on a motorcycle who fired several shots, witnesses reported.
The bodybuilder, who financed his studies by working as a private security guard, was a local bodybuilding champion, winning the Mister Para 2023 and Mister Presenca Para 2021/2022.
Roberto died at the scene in the Sacramenta neighbourhood on Wednesday.
Police confirmed the case on August 29, saying that locals heard gunshots and found the victim lying dead on the pavement near a supermarket.
Cops added that Roberto had been robbed by two men in July.
But the brave bodybuilder had fought back, disarming one of the two suspects and shooting at them, with one of them dying in hospital after being fatally injured.
Roberto had reportedly received threats from one of the robbers after the danger encounter, according to local media.
Police are currently investigating the case.