Champion bodybuilder Chad McCrary dead at 49

Champion bodybuilder Chad McCrary has died aged 49.

The news sad announced by Jim McMahon, the CEO of Mutant, a sports fitness brand that sponsored McCrary.

"Like everybody, I’m very sad and stunned," McMahon said in video posted via the bodybuilder's brother's account. "It’s a hard one."

"What I’m always gonna take away is just what we all got to experience, in our group at least, with him, is just the camaraderie. It’s always everything that all of us try to achieve in this life is having good friends and good camaraderie," he continued.

"I don’t have much to say just the heart hurts," he said. "That’s the simplest way to put it. Peace and love to everybody. Thanks, Chad."

Have a look at the full video below:

In the caption, it was also revealed that the athlete had passed away on January 2.

In the wake of the announcement, a handful of social media users took to the comments to leave messages for McCrary's loved ones including people that had been in contact with the star.

"I'm so sorry for your loss. I chatted to him fir a while at the Olympia and he seemed a very lovely man with a great sense of humour. Very sad to hear he has left the world," wrote one user, while another added: "So So Sorry."

His brother, Lance, also addressed the issue stating: "Jim, my brother was so proud to be part of Mutant nation. He was on top of the world of you when you sponsored him !

In a follow up comment he also added that McCrary was a "good man".

"Chad loved the attitude of Mutant Nation. He was truly a body builder in his Beast mode, his determination was unmatched. Yet he could make you laugh, give good advice. Just an all around good man."

A relative also opened up saying: "Thank you Jim. Chad was my cousin, & I reached out to him a few years ago. He was what hero’s are made of. I’m so glad he had his friends. I had not seen him in person since he was a preteen, but I loved him very much. He looked more my daddy than any of us 3 kids. Your kind words mean so much!"

While the 49-year-old made a side career out of bodybuilding even after a 2005 motocross accident left him paralyzed, he also did motivational speaking as well as being a paramedic for LifeNet and the Red River Army Depot for a short while.

Beyond that, he was also a licensed aviator through Texarkana College as per the New York Post.

In an interview with Wheelchair Bodybuilding, McCrary opened up about his motivation to "inspire others" despite his accident, also adding: "I was already involved in bodybuilding and just carried it over to the wheelchair."

Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

Featured Image Credit: South_Agency/Getty