Zunilda Hoyos Mendez, a Colombian bodybuilding athlete identified internationally by her on-line title “Amy Muscle”, was discovered crushed to demise with a hammer at a luxurious residence on Spain’s Costa del Sol on Thursday. Her accomplice, 46-year-old Jarrod Gelling, was additionally discovered lifeless in the identical property, with what Spanish authorities describe as self-inflicted stab wounds.Police are investigating the case as a suspected murder-suicide, with early proof pointing to gender-based violence, Spain’s authorized classification for home murders.
Who was Amy Muscle ?
Zunilda Hoyos Mendez, 43, was an expert bodybuilder who competed throughout Latin America and internationally. She gained prominence after ending second on the NPC Worldwide Latin American Championships in 2021, and was a constant presence at regional competitions in Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil.Her most up-to-date titles included high placements at IFBB-sanctioned occasions, and she or he had been getting ready for an upcoming competitors in Portugal on the time of her demise. In response to her coach, she was aiming to interrupt into the worldwide high 10 this yr.Along with her aggressive profession, Zunilda was well-known within the on-line health neighborhood by her social media presence underneath the title Amy Muscle. She had constructed a following of over 100,000 subscribers on platforms like OnlyFans and Fansly, the place she mixed health content material with premium modelling work. She was additionally a frequent topic of curiosity on fitness-focused Reddit boards, the place followers adopted her progress and posted about her coaching routines and competitors prep.
What occurred in Spain?
Zunilda had arrived in Fuengirola, a city on the southern Spanish coast, from Dubai, the place she and Gelling had reportedly been based mostly in current months. Members of the family say she had travelled to Spain to assist take care of Gelling following a knee operation, however had already made the choice to finish the connection as a consequence of what they described as persistent aggression.Her niece Yuleydis informed native Spanish media that Zunilda deliberate to journey to Portugal for a contest after which return to Colombia alone. “She had taken the choice to separate from her husband,” she mentioned. “For my aunt, it was the final journey—a goodbye.”She had not been seen since June 14. On Wednesday, a buddy filed a lacking individuals report in Torremolinos. When police entered the house on Thursday round 1:45pm, they found her physique with indicators of blunt drive trauma, and Gelling’s physique within the lavatory with knife wounds. An post-mortem is pending.
Was she killed by her accomplice?
Spanish police suspect Gelling, who held each US and Colombian nationality, could have killed Zunilda earlier than taking his personal life. Authorities mentioned there have been no prior complaints of home violence involving the couple on file.The case is being handled as a suspected gender-based murder, pending affirmation from forensic experiences. If confirmed, it will be the third such case in Málaga province this yr and the fifth within the Andalusia area.
What has been the response?
Tributes have poured in from the bodybuilding and health neighborhood. Her coach, Branden Rey, mentioned in an emotional social media put up:“We had 17 days till we have been going to hit the stage and shock the world. I informed you that you may be high 10 on this planet this yr.”One other fellow competitor and buddy, Behnaz Azar, wrote:“You weren’t only a buddy, you have been my teammate and my protected place. We had goals. Now all that’s left is silence.”Zunilda’s demise has despatched shockwaves by each the skilled bodybuilding world and her on-line following, the place she was seen as an aspirational determine who broke by stereotypes round girls in power sports activities.
What occurs subsequent?
Authorities in Málaga are awaiting post-mortem and toxicology outcomes. An investigation is ongoing. If the demise is confirmed as a case of gender violence, Spanish authorized proceedings might proceed even within the absence of a surviving suspect.In the meantime, the health world mourns the lack of a competitor who was on the peak of her profession—one who balanced self-discipline, digital affect, and a dedication to her craft.
