Fitness influencer Christina Bitner has died at the age of 41 — and several of her friends took to social media to honor her.
Bitner’s friend Natalie Prescott confirmed the news via Instagram on Monday, July 14.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my dear friend of over 27 years. Christina was called home to be with the Lord today,” Prescott wrote alongside a few pictures of Bitner, including a selfie with her friend. “Her husband Brent asked me to share this heartbreaking news, knowing how many people loved her and how hard it is right now to find the words.”
Prescott went on to say that they “may not understand how this fits into God’s plan,” but she does know that “the world lost someone truly special.”
“Christina was the kind of friend everyone hopes to have genuine, kind, and full of love for the people around her,” Prescott shared. “She had the biggest heart and the brightest smile. She truly understood what it meant to value people.”
Prescott asked fans to keep her husband, her stepdaughter, Emily, her sister, Katy, and all of “their loved ones in [their] prayers as they face what feels impossible.”
“Our hearts are completely broken,” she concluded her message.
Several users took to the comments section to express their sadness over Bitner’s sudden death.
“I can’t wrap my head around this. 😭💔😭,” one user wrote, while another added, “I am so sorry to hear of this!!! She was inspiring to all!! This sucks. Big hugs to you.”
Details about Bitner’s cause of death have yet to be revealed.
Bitner earned her professional status in the Women’s Physique Division of the IFBB, a major international bodybuilding organization, before becoming a social media influencer with nearly 100K followers on Instagram. Her account consisted of her posting about her life as a bodybuilder, her cake business and her journey as a stepmom of five.
Along with Prescott, several of Bitner’s friends posted their own messages about the influencer online.
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“We can’t make sense of it, Christina… The world lost such a special human,” Nat Rochner, who appeared to be one of Bitner’s bodybuilding friends, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, July 15. “To know her, was to love her. Rest in paradise my sweet, beautiful friend.”
Another IFBB Fitness Pro, Donnice Chow, shared some throwback photos of Bitner via Instagram alongside a sweet message.
“I’ll never understand the loss of beautiful souls too young,” she noted on Tuesday. “This one hits hard and regret of not keeping in better touch as we progressed in life will weigh heavy for a long time. 💔.”