“Jo is in a better place,” writes his girlfriend Nicha, confirming the death of the 30-year-old fitness influencer Jo Lindner. For days he is said to have reported neck pain, she writes on Instagram. On Friday, Lindner is said to have suddenly died of an aneurysm, probably in the arms of his girlfriend.

Jo Lindner was one of the most successful influencers in Germany in his field and had more than 8.5 million followers. He posted mainly in English on social networks. The Bild newspaper first reported on the death of the native Bavarian.

Lindner’s friend Nicha, who is a fitness trainer and influencer herself, reports on Instagram: “I was in the room with him, he put the chain around my neck that he made for me,” writes Nicha. “We had just laid down to cuddle […], then it just happened way too quickly.” Lindner had been complaining of neck pain for three days, but neither of them understood the extent. Until it was too late.

There are already tens of thousands of messages of condolence on both profiles. “You have inspired millions,” writes a fan. “I am completely stunned, rest in peace,” write others. Many thank Lindner for his good mood: “Thank you for always spreading good vibes and inspiring us all. I will cherish our time together, brother. Cheer up, chest out, forever.”

Nicha would like to honor him as this person, she writes in her emotional statement. As Joesthetics: “Like he always said, ‘hang in there and stay strong’.”

An aneurysm is a localized bulging of a blood vessel. It can form when the walls of the arteries are weakened. Aneurysms can occur anywhere in the body, but the brain is more commonly affected. The risk increases with age, but other factors include high blood pressure or bad habits such as smoking, alcohol or drug abuse.

Sources: Instagram “Joesthetics”, Instagram Nicha, Public Health Portal Austria