An ambulance in Thailand. (Photo by Jack TAYLOR / AFP) (Photo by JACK TAYLOR/AFP via Getty Images)
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Fitness and “looksmaxxing” influencer Connor Murphy has reportedly died following an apparent drowning in Thailand, according to multiple news reports, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
What we know:
According to The Bangkok Post, police said Murphy, a Texas-born fitness influencer, bodybuilder and YouTuber with more than 2.3 million subscribers, appeared to become increasingly agitated after arriving at a housing estate in Bang Phli district.
Pol. Col. Veeraphong Roobsuay, deputy superintendent of investigations at Bang Phli Police Station, said Murphy allegedly displayed erratic behavior before running toward a nearby lake.
The outlet reported that witnesses, including a security guard and a housing estate employee, told investigators Murphy arrived in a hired vehicle and attempted to give the driver 1,000 baht.
The driver reportedly declined the money after noticing Murphy’s unusual behavior. Murphy then allegedly approached a passing vehicle and asked the driver for a ride into the estate, but the security guard warned the driver not to stop.
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According to the newspaper, Murphy then began shouting, rolling on the ground and raising his hands as if praying. Police officers who responded to the scene said he suddenly ran and jumped into the lake, prompting authorities to call for additional officers and rescue personnel.
What we don’t know:
The Bangkok Post said rescue divers recovered Murphy’s body about 30 minutes later, and his body was sent to Ramathibodi Chakri Naruebodindra Hospital for an autopsy to determine a case of death.
Investigators also searched Murphy’s rented home near the lake, where, according to The Bangkok Post, they found black and yellow paint splashed throughout the property, including on electrical appliances.
Dig deeper:
According to TMZ, Connor Murphy rose to prominence in the mid-2010s through his YouTube channel, where he posted bodybuilding, fitness and prank videos. The outlet reported that Murphy often referred to himself as a “gigachad,” an internet slang term used to describe an exceptionally attractive, confident and physically fit man.
Murphy was also associated with the online “looksmaxxing” community, a subculture centered on maximizing physical appearance through intensive grooming, fitness, cosmetic procedures and other appearance-enhancing practices.
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