Family members of legendary fitness coach Gilad Yankelevich said his exact cause of death is still unknown and that Honolulu police are continuing to investigate. Yankelevich, 71, died unexpectedly about two weeks ago.
In a statement released Tuesday, the family said Yankelevich was found dead at the foot of the 16-story residential building where he lived in Hawaii. They asked for patience and privacy during what they called an especially difficult time.
The family also said that, in accordance with their wishes, Yankelevich will be buried in Israel beside his parents. They thanked fans and supporters worldwide for what they described as an overwhelming wave of love, support and condolences, saying those messages gave them strength as they cope with the loss.
Yankelevich was one of the best-known names in home workout culture, alongside Jane Fonda and the fitness video stars of the 1980s and 1990s. Over the years he was praised for bringing people into fitness through his performance style, presentation and scenic settings, received awards for his contribution to the industry, and kept teaching workouts even in the streaming era. In recent months, he had also been in advanced talks with Sport 5 about a filmed comeback in Israel for a series planned for broadcast in the United States, featuring Israeli scenery.
