A BODYBUILDING champ died after taking a lethal cocktail of drugs including steroids, an inquest heard.
Neil Currey, 34, was found unresponsive in his Sheffield flat in September last year.
An inquest heard the professional bodybuilder died from a mix of methamphetamine and cocaine.
Neil’s body had also struggled with his prolonged use of steroids, with his parents blaming the drug for his death.
Nigel and Sandra Currey told the court how their sporty son worked as a personal trainer before embarking on a bodybuilding career.
He achieved his dream of competing for Mr Olympia at the annual Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend in 2022 but had struggled with his height/weight ratio and became reliant on steroids.
The couple said his use of the drug “went off the scale” and by the beginning of 2023, he was “very isolated and depressed” and cut himself off from his family.
They said it was their “firm belief” his steroid abuse impacted his mental health and was responsible for his death.
Nigel and Sandra added: “It is accepted practice throughout the body building fraternity to take these drugs.
“Without the use of steroids it is impossible to compete, although this is called ‘cheating’ in any other sport.”
Assistant coroner Katy Dickinson ruled Neil’s death had been drug-related.
Tributes flooded in for Neil following the tragedy led by fellow bodybuilding star Milos Sarcev.
He said: “My last/best memory of him was this smiling face after he won New York Pro and fulfilled his lifetime dream of qualifying for the Mr. Olympia.
“I am lost for words and filled with pain and sadness.”
While Canadian bodybuilder Fouad Abiad said: “Very sad to hear the news today of Neil Currey’s passing.
“His work ethic was second to none and he had so much potential that was still untapped.”
Neil, who was born in the UK, qualified for the 2022 edition of Mr. Olympia and finished 16th in the Classic Physique category.
The bodybuilding ace previously competed in the New York Pro and Puerto Rico Pro events.
He also starred in bodybuilding competitions across Europe, Kuwait and Japan.
