Anabolic steroids have been cited in the death of gay pornographic film star Erik Rhodes (born James Elliott Naughtin). Rhodes died from an apparent heart attack in his sleep at age 30 on June 14, 2012. Steroids didn’t necessarily cause his death. There were many other drug, including crystal meth, that were part of his lifestyle. Yet, the fact that people are blaming steroids isn’t surprising since Rhodes’ last post on his personal blog described the alleged mega-doses of steroids that comprised his current cycle.
“3000 mg of Test Enanthate a week, 2500 mg of Nandrolone Decaonate and 300 mg of Trenbolone Acetate,” wrote Rhodes. “With 5iu of Human Growth Hormone everyday.”
The post was written on June 9, 2012, less than two weeks before Rhodes’ death. Was the response a sarcastic answer to a reader’s question? Or did his answer reflect an honest disclosure into his heavy steroid use?
A steroid cycle approaching 6 grams exceeds what most professional bodybuilders use. While Rhodes, at 6-foot 3-inches and 250 pounds, looked like a bodybuilder, he didn’t necessarily look like a bodybuilder that used those type of dosages.
Regardless of the amount of steroids used by Rhodes, the truth is that if he was in the middle of any steroid cycle when he died, the search for a causal connection would be inevitable.
We may never know the truth about Rhodes’ steroid use and how it related to his health. But Rhodes repeatedly talked about experiencing an early death. At the age of 27, he predicted that his life would expire at 30 like “a carton of milk”.
Even his last blog post suggested that he wouldn’t be surprised if he died from his steroid use.
“I’m waiting until I pop,” wrote Rhodes. “Or my liver to fails… which every comes first.”
Rhodes will be criticized for his involvement with anabolic steroids especially in the aftermath of his death. But friend and fellow actor Samuel Colt reminded his detractors that steroids allowed Rhodes to achieve the muscular ideal idealized by his fans.
“People faulted him for doing steroids, which was the thing that allowed him to be the ideal they wanted,” said Colt.
Photo credit: Erik Rhodes: "A Romance with Misery" blog
Source:
Bernstein, J. (June 20, 2012). An Early Death but Perhaps Not a Surprise. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/fashion/erik-rhodess-death-was-early-but-perhaps-not-surprising.html
Rhodes, E. (June 9, 2012). Kennethbeltran asked: am about to start a roid cycle. any suggestion for a gear? i want to be as huge as you. Retrieved from http://erikrhodes.tumblr.com/post/24763360383/am-about-to-start-a-roid-cycle-any-suggestion-for-a
