Professional referee Jerry Ward died of a pulmonary embolism from deep vein thrombosis

During late July, we informed you that bodybuilder and NPC-IFBB professional judge Jerry Ward passed away at the age of 46. It happened during Udit's 2022 NPC Teen, Collegiate and Masters Nationals in Pittsburgh, during which he died suddenly overnight. Just hours before his death, he posted a video on his YouTube channel.

Sadly, we lost a great friend today when Jerry Ward passed away. Jerry died suddenly last night. He was here in Pittsburgh commentating the live stream of the NPC Teen, Collegiate and Masters Nationals. In the NPC and IFBB PRO LEAGUE, Jerry was an outstanding competitor, judge, expediter, head judge and PPV commentator over the years.

His knowledge of the sport of bodybuilding was second to none!
We are devastated by his passing.

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A post shared by Jerry Wayne Ward (@jerrywardii)

Since Jerry's death, speculation has abounded as to why Ward died and what the likely cause was. However, all the possible answers have been speculation and it wasn't until yesterday that Jerry's wife Erin Merritt spoke publicly about what the cause of her husband's death was.

The fact is that Jerry died of a pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis. No, he didn't have any surgeries. No, he wasn't on any long flights. No, he didn't complain of any calf problems. He was fine before he left for his trip on Tuesday. If anything happened during the week, he never mentioned it," Erin Merritt said.

Jerry Ward's competition history

2015

• NPC Capitol Grand Prix, 4
• Capitol Grand Prix, 3
• NPC Maryland State/East Coast Classic, 3
• NPC Baltimore Gladiator Classic, 13
• Baltimore Gladiator Classic, 6

2009

• NPC Pittsburgh Bodybuilding Fitness & Figure, 4

2007

• NPC Lehigh Valley Bodybuilding & Figure Championships, 2
• NPC Pittsburgh Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Competition, 8