Bodybuilder collapses, dies
Sunday, July 23, 2006
A Rhode Island man who was planning to make a comeback in his favorite sport of bodybuilding collapsed and died while preparing for a local competition.
Anthony D'Arezzo, 44, of Johnston, R.I., was in Pittsburgh for the weekend's NPC Teen, Collegiate and Masters National Championships bodybuilding competition when he collapsed Friday afternoon in his hotel room at Sheraton Station Square.
An autopsy yesterday ruled that Mr. D'Arezzo died of cardiomyopathy, according to the Allegheny County medical examiner's office.
Mr. D'Arezzo had long battled heart disease, said friend Dave Palumbo.
According to a resume posted on Mr. D'Arezzo's Web site, he had not participated in a major bodybuilding event since 1997.
"He was trying a comeback," said Mr. Palumbo, who spoke with Mr. D'Arezzo earlier on Friday.
Mr. D'Arezzo was a fitness trainer in Providence, R.I. The competition was taking place at the Sheraton.