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A MOTHER shares that her bodybuilder son passed away from a stroke, heartbroken after the loss of his cherished cat.
Ricardo Nolasco dos Santos, 31, reportedly endured a week of “emotional distress” following the death of his pet, Baku, before collapsing into seizures and being taken to the hospital.
Ricardo dos Santos reportedly died from heartbreak over losing his catCredit: Jam Press/@kadusantos93
In a heartfelt online post, his mother Iva Nolasco expressed: “I understand our Baki left us because there’s no way a world can exist where you two aren’t together.”
Ricardo, known as Kadu Santos online, gained fame for his intense gym routines, offering his 13,000 followers guidance on maintaining fitness.
The 31-year-old tragically passed away on October 20, just days after becoming engaged to his personal trainer girlfriend, Sabrina Wollman.
His mother revealed he succumbed to a stroke and lung infection, which she believes were triggered by the loss of his beloved cat.
It’s also known that the 11-time bodybuilding champion was born with a bicuspid heart valve instead of a tricuspid one, a type of heart disease that can be life-threatening.
Recalling the devastating night her son was rushed to the hospital, Iva said: “His blood pressure elevated, and he decided to go out for dinner with his partner and friends to try to relax a bit.
“He complained of a headache, began having seizures, and then suffered the stroke.
“In the hospital, he was diagnosed with a brain lesion where the hemorrhage had occurred.
“Due to the strain on his lungs, his heart became insufficient.”
In a touching online tribute, Sabrina described her time with Ricardo as “the best four years of my life.”
She stated: “If I had known our time together would end like this, I would do it all over again because these were the best four years of my life, and I know they were yours too.”
Concluding her emotional tribute, she added: “We’ll meet again in the next life, my love.”
Friends and fans have honored the strongman for his remarkable dedication to fitness.
Fellow bodybuilder Diego Wiegand said: “Today, heaven is surely celebrating. Kadu was an extraordinary person, remarkable as an athlete, coach, and even more so as an individual.
“It is with great sadness that I bid you farewell today.
“It’s incredibly hard to accept, and I still haven’t come to terms with it, but you have left a legacy here on earth and will always be remembered for the man you were! I love you, brother.”
In addition to competing in bodybuilding events, Ricardo worked as a trainer and online consultant.
He passed away in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, with his funeral held on October 21 in Novo Hamburgo, on the outskirts of Porto Alegre.
His tragic passing comes just weeks after another bodybuilder in the Brazilian town of Chapecó, in Santa Catarina state.
Police report that his wife, Andreia Carvalho Aita, attacked Valter while he slept, stabbing him in the jugular, head, arms, legs, and torso.
Bleeding heavily, the five-time state bodybuilding champion attempted to escape but collapsed in the stairwell, leaving a trail of blood.
Authorities stated: “She believed her partner had been having extramarital relationships for several months before the crime and had previously expressed her desire to kill him because of this.”
Carvalho Aita allegedly drilled holes in the apartment walls to spy on him, took photographs of him while he slept, and bombarded him with threatening messages, often ending with knife emojis.
He was an 11-time bodybuilding championCredit: Jam Press/@kadusantos93
He got engaged to his girlfriend Sabrina Wollman just weeks agoCredit: Instagram @kadusantos93
He proposed on stage to his girlfriend just weeks agoCredit: Instagram @kadusantos 
