Bodybuilder dies after 15 hours collapsed in gym shower
Giuliano Pirone found in gym shower, dies after two weeks in coma
A bodybuilder, Giuliano Pirone, who was found collapsed in a shower at a 24-hour gym, has died two weeks after being placed in an induced coma. Pirone was preparing for a bodybuilding competition when he collapsed in the shower of a gym in Wanneroo, a northern suburb of Perth, on August 20.
He visited the gym before work, but it wasn’t until later that night when police broke in and discovered him in a cold-running shower. He had been on life support at Joondalup hospital for two weeks but passed away on Thursday morning. Pirone never regained consciousness, and an MRI confirmed he had lost brain function.
His mother, Daniela Pirone, expressed her grief, stating, “I will never look at the Sun, the Moon and the sky the same way again, the light that shone bright has left me,” in an interview with ABC Radio Perth. Doctors believe that Pirone’s blood sugar levels dropped significantly, leading to a decrease in blood pressure and possibly triggering a seizure.
🤦🏻♀️ Reporter leads with “died from lack of oxygen.”
Waits 5 paragraphs to say that actually, this 22-year-old died from stroke & blood clots while working out. Which is not at all normal but continues to be normalized!
This is all utter madness. pic.twitter.com/6ZFmiU2Mpj
— Dana Parish (@danaparish) August 30, 2024
His mother mentioned he had stopped at the gym on his way to work. When he didn’t return home or answer calls later that day, she began to worry. The family reached out to Pirone’s friends, ex-wife, and acquaintances, but no one had heard from him. Ms Pirone told ABC that it was very unusual and completely out of character for her son.
After reporting him missing to the police, they tracked his phone to the gym, where they found him. “The police had to barge in; they found him in the shower with the cold water running, collapsed on the floor,” she said. “They thought he was dead.”
Police officers performed CPR, and Pirone briefly regained consciousness before being rushed to the hospital by ambulance. “The officer handling everything took my husband and me straight to the hospital, and that’s where I’ve been ever since,” she said.
Pirone was found in a locked shower cubicle, and police had to break down the door to reach him. “He messaged a friend at 7.03am and wasn’t found until about 10.30pm. I got to the hospital about 12pm,” she said. “He was alone, collapsed on the floor for about 15 hours, and no one noticed anything. I am just dumbfounded.”
Ms Pirone criticised the safety of 24-hour unmanned gyms, calling for better monitoring of patrons. Her son had checked in at 4.55am, and his car was parked by the front door, but no one noticed anything amiss.
“There should be a check-in system, so after two or three hours if someone hasn’t checked out, staff look around for that person,” she said. WA Police have reviewed CCTV footage from the gym and will prepare a report for the coroner.
What Other Media Are Saying
- RNZ reports Giuliano Pirone, a 33-year-old bodybuilder, died in hospital after spending 15 hours unconscious in a Perth gym shower. The incident highlights concerns over gym safety and the need for regular checks and staffing.(read more)
- ABC News reports that gym safety is in spotlight after a bodybuilder in Perth, Giuliano Pirone, 33, collapsed in a shower at a 24-hour gym and was not found for 15 hours, prompting calls for greater safety measures.(read more)
- The West Australian reports that Giuliano Pirone, 33, died in hospital after being left undetected in a 24/7 gym shower for 15 hours, leading to severe brain damage.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to the bodybuilder at the gym?
Giuliano Pirone collapsed in the gym shower and was left undetected for 15 hours, leading to a fatal brain injury.
How long was Giuliano Pirone in the shower before being found?
He was in the shower for about 15 hours before being discovered.
What caused Giuliano Pirone’s collapse in the gym shower?
Doctors believe his blood sugar levels became very low, causing his blood pressure to drop, possibly triggering a seizure.
What did Giuliano Pirone’s mother say about 24-hour gyms?
She said 24-hour unmanned gyms are dangerous and more should be done to check on patrons.
What actions are the WA Police taking after Giuliano Pirone’s death?
The WA Police have accessed CCTV footage from the gym and will prepare a report for the coroner.
