The sudden death of 25-year-old TikTok influencer Ben Bader was caused by heart disease, according to a newly released autopsy that ruled the Miami content creator’s collapse as natural.
The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner said in its report that Bader “died from coronary atherosclerosis due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease,” ending weeks of speculation after he was found unresponsive inside the upscale Admiral’s Cove community in Jupiter, Fla.
Authorities said that there were no signs of trauma or drug use.
“No significant trauma was identified to the body upon postmortem examination,” according to the autopsy, which was obtained by People and Us Weekly.
“Toxicologic testing was negative for acute drug toxicity. Codeine was identified in the urine, but not blood. This suggests recent use, but it does not appear that codeine caused or contributed to death in any way. The manner of death is natural.”
The examiner added that “since genetic factors were likely involved in the development of arteriosclerosis in this young adult, family members of the deceased are encouraged to seek follow-up through their primary care physician.”
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Coronary atherosclerosis is a form of heart disease caused by plaque clogging and hardening the arteries that supply blood to the heart.
The condition restricts blood flow and can trigger sudden cardiac collapse, even in people with no symptoms.
Although fatal cardiac events in someone as young as 25 are uncommon, doctors say atherosclerosis often begins much earlier in life and can progress silently for years.
Studies have found early plaque in a significant number of young adults, with researchers warning that severe coronary disease is appearing at younger ages than in past decades.
Bader was discovered on Oct. 23 just minutes after stepping off a treadmill at the private club’s gym, according to security footage cited in the report. A gym patron found him unconscious at about 6:28 p.m.
Jupiter Police spokesperson Shawn Reed said earlier that Bader “was discovered by fellow residents and appeared not to be breathing.”
Emergency workers attempted to revive him, police said.
“Lifesaving measures were initiated prior to the arrival of first responders and continued by medical personnel,” according to Reed.
“Mr. Bader was subsequently transported to a local hospital via ambulance, where he was pronounced deceased.”
The examiner added that “genetic factors were likely involved in the development of arteriosclerosis in this young adult” and that “family members of the deceased are encouraged to seek follow-up through their primary care physician.”
The findings cap a monthlong mystery surrounding the passing of the Cincinnati-born influencer, who built a following of more than 200,000 across TikTok, Instagram, X and Twitter by posting lifestyle commentary, financial advice and tutorials linked to his coaching platform, The Artisan Lab.
In interviews with the medical examiner, Bader’s mother said he had been in “relatively good health” aside from recent back and shoulder pain that led him to seek physical therapy, according to the report.
The death shook Bader’s followers and friends, many of whom had watched him post a final financial-advice video on TikTok earlier that same day.
