A 31-year-old bodybuilder has tragically passed away from a stroke shortly after the death of his cherished cat, his grieving mother has disclosed.

Ricardo Nolasco dos Santos, known to many as Kadu Santos, died last week in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Kadu Santos was celebrated for his impressive achievements in bodybuilding, having secured the title of champion 11 times and winning the overall championship twice in a notable regional Muscle Contest competition.

His mother, Iva Nolasco, shared that the stroke led to a lung infection, further complicated by a congenital defect that affected his health.

In a memorable moment captured on film in July, Santos proposed to his partner Sabrina Wollman on stage, marking a highlight in their four-year relationship that began in August 2021.

Following Santos’ passing, Sabrina took to social media on Sunday to express her sorrow, reflecting, “If I had known our time would end this way, I would choose to live it all over again because these past four years were the best of my life, and I know they were yours as well.”

She also mentioned her partner’s pet cat Baki, who Santos’ mum referenced as she explained the factors behind his death, saying: ‘Today I understand our Baki departed because there’s no way a world can exist where you two aren’t together.’

Ricardo Nolasco dos Santos (pictured) died last week in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul

Baki, the bodybuilder’s beloved cat, (pictured) passed away weeks before the man’s death

The brunette ended her message by saying: ‘We’ll see each other in the next life, my love.’

Lifting the veil of mystery that had been hanging over the death of Santos, Iva told followers in a social media post he had experienced a week of ’emotional distress’ following Baku’s death.

Saying he fell ill on October 4, sparking a two-week fight for life in hospital, she added: ‘His blood pressure rose and he decided to go out for dinner with his partner and friends to try to relax a bit.

‘He complained of a headache, started having seizures and then suffered the stroke.

‘In hospital he was diagnosed with a brain lesion where the haemorrhage had occurred.’

Revealing Santos also aspirated fluid during the seizure which caused a lung infection, Iva who is herself a regular gym user added: ‘He was born with a bicuspid heart valve instead of a tricuspid one.

‘With the effort for the lungs, the heart became insufficient.’

Santos’ family announced his death on social media but had not previously disclosed any details about his two-week fight for life and the reasons for his passing.

He was filmed in July going down on one knee to propose to her on stage after a four-year romance with Sabrina Wollman (pictured, left)

His funeral took place on October 21 in Novo Hamburgo on the outskirts of the city of Porto Alegre following a wake

Known for his punishing gym routines, he also showed off his bulging biceps to his 13,000 followers on Instagram where he also offered advice on how to keep in shape

His funeral took place on October 21 in Novo Hamburgo on the outskirts of the city of Porto Alegre following a wake.

Friend and fellow bodybuilder Diego Wiegand said in an emotional social media tribute at the time: ‘Today, heaven is certainly celebrating. [Santos] was a person who was completely out of the ordinary, incredible as an athlete, coach, and even more so as a person.

‘It is with great sadness that I say goodbye to you today.

‘It is very difficult to accept, and I still haven’t come to terms with it, but you have left a legacy here on earth and will always be remembered by everyone for the man you were! I love you, brother.’