Illia “Golem” Yefimchyk, World's “Most Monstrous” Bodybuilder, Dead at 36 After Heart Attack

The bodybuilding community has lost a standout member.

Illia “Golem” Yefimchyk, known by his nicknames the "most monstrous bodybuilder" and "The Mutant," died on Sept. 8, his wife Anna Yefimchyk confirmed to several local outlets. He was 36.

The Belarusian athlete suffered a heart attack on Sept. 6, according to 7 News, and his wife performed CPR on him. He was later transported by helicopter to a clinic. Tragically, his death was announced two days later.

“I spent every day by his side, hoping, and his heart started beating again for two days,” Anna told local media. “But the doctor gave me the terrible news that his brain had died.”

Anna thanked Illia’s fans for their support saying, “It’s very heartwarming to realize that I am not left alone in this world, and so many people have offered me help and support.”

Illia, who was 6-foot tall and weighed 340 pounds, was best known for his 25-inch biceps and his lighthearted social media videos.

Over the years, Illia documented his diet and workouts including drinking 20 protein shakes a day, eating a 103-piece sushi boat, and more, leading to a 16,500-calorie daily diet. He also spoke freely about his use of supplements, growth hormones and steroids on his YouTube and Instagram account, which amassed more than 300,000 followers.

On her Instagram Story on Sept. 10, Anna, who married Illia in 2018, shared her grief, writing, “We have been inseparable all these 8 years and lived together an incredible experience that few people manage to survive even in a hundred years. My heart is broken into a thousand pieces.. This is an unbearable pain ... Life changes in a second.”

She also posted a black and white photo of her husband, writing, “Farewell to my superhero ... love you.”