Marie Raia feels it is crucial to discuss Bostin Loyd’s life and the cause of his demise to raise awareness.
Bostin Loyd passed away unexpectedly in February. The bodybuilder’s cause of demise was determined as retrograde aortic dissection, a disorder where the aorta exits the heart to deliver blood to the body. It tore back into the heart, resulting in Loyd’s passing. In a recent conversation, Loyd’s mother and bodybuilder Marie Raia elaborated on this condition, alongside Loyd’s steroid use and its influence on bodybuilding.
Raia embarked on bodybuilding at 21 and has enjoyed a career lasting four decades. In 2020, Raia competed six times, notably winning the NPC National Championships. She qualified to apply for her Pro Card but opted to remain an NPC competitor.
Raia joined Dave Palumbo on RxMuscle’s YouTube platform for an in-depth discussion about the autopsy, cause of death, and Bostin Loyd’s career. She believes it is vital to talk about these matters openly.
“It’s very important that people understand what transpired. And I think Bostin, given his nature, would want people to know his actions. That was just part of his character. He was transparent. We’re just doing what he would have wanted,” Raia expressed.
Marie Raia Talks About Bostin Loyd’s Autopsy
Palumbo first reported in March that Bostin Loyd had died due to aortic dissection. Now, he delved deeper with Marie Raia regarding this condition and other findings from the autopsy.
Raia recalls Loyd being at the gym on the day of his demise, experiencing discomfort but refusing to visit the hospital.
“Back pain, leg pain. He was at the gym and I guess he was on his back in severe pain…He did not want to go to the hospital. He didn’t trust doctors, and that was the issue. Every time he saw the kidney specialist, he seemed to think he knew more than they did,” Raia mentioned.
Palumbo continues to reveal information from the autopsy, indicating three substances found in Loyd’s blood — caffeine, ephedra, and oxycodone. Raia was unaware that Loyd was consuming these drugs and believes he was “coating everything,” whether mentally or physically.
READ MORE: Bodybuilders Are Dying: An Investigation Into Modern Bodybuilding, Health, & PED Use
Throughout his career, Bostin Loyd was candid about his steroid use and the state of his kidneys. Loyd was suffering from Stage 5 kidney failure, and the autopsy confirmed this with damage to the kidneys, significant sclerosis, and damage to filtration mechanisms, consistent with high blood pressure.
Bostin Loyd knew he needed dialysis and eventually a kidney transplant.
“They were advising him to go, but he wasn’t attending. He would make an appointment and not show up. It was a combination of things,” Raia shared.
The genetic link came from Loyd’s father, Jon Loyd, who also had a large aorta. This was an inherited problem, and Loyd appeared to have a similar concern. His aorta measured 5.2 centimeters, a size that requires monitoring and potentially surgery.
Marie Raia Discusses Bostin Loyd’s Steroid Use
Bostin Loyd was forthright about his steroid use throughout his career. Sometimes, this landed him in trouble, but he was always transparent about his drug use and health challenges. According to Marie Raia, Loyd was aware of the dangers.
Although Loyd recognized his health problems, he refused to cease taking specific anabolic steroids.
“Do you think Bostin, and obviously this requires stepping into his mindset for a moment. Do you think Bostin believed that if he couldn’t bodybuild and take the drugs he wanted to, life wasn’t worth living? Was he that far gone?” Dave Palumbo queried.
“I believe so. I believe there was an issue with his brain chemistry. Why, in that final week, he engaged in all these activities. He knew this could lead to his death,” Raia responded.
Loyd showed an early interest in bodybuilding, as young as three. He began a regular workout routine as he matured and started using steroids at 16. Raia discovered his steroid use when he rapidly gained size.
“I was furious. Things didn’t improve when his dad returned them at 18. That’s like saying, ‘son, it’s okay. Now you’re old enough.’ That’s when he fully committed. He came back from Northern California to my house. Yes, he had the steroid boxes, and that’s when I asked him to leave. I couldn’t accept it. He was working and training people from my home, but he was using drugs and bulking up. His attitude changed, and I didn’t want that in my house. I was completely against it,” Raia said.
Marie Raia was aware of Bostin Loyd’s steroid use and felt that something had to be done. She tried to have an intervention with her son just six weeks before his passing.
“What we needed was a serious discussion to say, ‘we all care about you, but you’ve become a drug addict’…He needed to realize that we loved him, and his actions affected us all. We needed an intervention.”
Bostin Loyd had a vibrant personality, and his interviews were always lively as he openly expressed his views. Some were intimidated by this, but Marie Raia recognizes the kind-hearted person he was deep down. Those who knew Bostin Loyd well speak highly of his personality and character.
“He was very calm and likable. Even people at the gym would comment on how nice he was. Despite his size, he was never rude. He wasn’t the type to throw weights around and grunt. He was very courteous. I mean, he was educated. I know he had a foul mouth occasionally, but he could articulate well.”
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