A fitness influencer has revealed his fiancee has suddenly passed away — just weeks after her 36th birthday.
Jeff Nippard, a popular YouTuber, took to Instagram to announce his fiancee Stephanie Buttermore had tragically died.
There were no details on a cause of death.
“It is with profound sorrow that we share the sudden passing of Jeff’s fiancee and partner of 10 years, Stephanie,” a post on Instagram from Nippard’s team said.
“As many of you know, Stephanie meant the world to Jeff. She will be remembered for her warmth and compassion, her love for her family, and her PhD research on ovarian cancer.
“We kindly as for privacy as we navigate this tragic loss. Thank you for your understanding and support during this difficult time.”
Comments were shut off the post.
However fans quickly found other outlets to express their sadness.
“Saw the news, what the actual? I met both of them a few years ago, so kind, so perfect for each other. This is truly heartbreaking,” one said.
Another said: “This is sad to hear and I hope he is able to find some peace. They seemed really happy.”
“I used to watch both of them when I started lifting. That’s awful. I hope he’ll be okay,” one said.
Nippard boasts 8.2 million followers on YouTube, where the Canadian man shares his life as a bodybuilder and powerlifter. He met Buttermore, who had 1.2 million subscribers on YouTube, 10 years ago and the pair got engaged in 2022.
The pair met when Nippard slid into her direct messages and the pair quickly formed a friendship, Skyping up to four hours a day in the first month.
The 36-year-old had just celebrated her birthday on February 25 before she passed away.
Buttermore had been focused on her education, holding four certifications from two different universities, including a PhD Biomedical Sciences, Pathology & Cell Biology from University of South Florida.
She explained that her doctoral research primarily focused on early detection screening markers and the molecular mechanisms driving ovarian cancer.
“I know it’s a bit bizarre, but happiness and following my passion led me here,” her website reads.
“I am Stephanie Buttermore, a PhD who has transitioned from the world of academia to a world of sharing my life and passion for the things I love.
“Using social media, I entertain, but most importantly, educate on the scientific principles of training and nutrition. I’ve taken my many years of experience reading and writing scientific literature to understanding the fundamentals of exercise science.”
Buttermore quit posting on social media in March 2024 for two months, citing that she felt her mental health had improved away from posting.
She said in her two months away her mental health was “the best it had ever been”.
“I no longer struggle with anxiety. At all. It was almost crippling a few years ago to the point I felt I couldn’t breathe or leave my house,” she said.
However she did say she missed her friends on social media.
The May 21 2024 Instagram post was the last thing she ever uploaded onto the platform.
