Bodybuilder Jeff Nippard Breaks Silence on Fiancée Stephanie Buttermore's Death
Nearly two months after announcing the shocking death of his fiancée, YouTuber Stephanie Buttermore, at age 36, Canadian bodybuilder Jeff Nippard is breaking his silence about the tragedy.
Related: Why Stephanie Buttermore Quit YouTube 2 Years Before Her Death
"Last week I spent time with Stephanie's family and closest friends to celebrate her life and share memories with each other," he wrote on Instagram beside a carousel of photos featuring both throwbacks with Buttermore and more recent photos with her mother.
The fitness influencer shared some of his thoughts and memories of his longtime partner, reflecting on her kindness and loving demeanor, saying, "She really made the world a better place."
"I'm not sure if many of you know this, but during her PhD, she studied a protein called RHAMM, and found out that it could help detect ovarian cancer early," he said, adding that it was "one of the first things that made [him] fall in love with her," and sharing her dissertation on his page.
He also applauded how Buttermore made "people feel less alone" in their food and body image struggles on her YouTube account, which she stopped posting to in 2024 to protect her own mental health.
Nippard also revealed the special way the family honored Buttermore, saying. "We built this backyard garden in her honour (purple was her favourite colour) and it means so, so much to me."
The bodybuilder shared how he's been coping throughout the tragic loss, including reading fans' messages of support, and leaning on Buttermore's mother, with whom she had "an especially loving bond."
"Stephanie's mom loves hearing stories about the difference her daughter made," he said. "We talk almost every day, and it's been incredibly difficult, but we're making it together."
"If you were a fan of Stephanie, then I'm a fan of you," he concluded. "I hope she made your life better in some way. She made my life amazing and I'm so grateful for the time we had."
Nippard announced Buttermore's death on Instagram on March 6, 2026, writing, "It is with profound sorrow that we share the sudden passing of Jeff's fiancée and partner of ten years, Stephanie." No cause of death has been shared.
Fans and friends alike sent lots of love and support in the comments of Nippard's new post. "Brother stay strong for her! I'm so sorry for your loss," commented bodybuilder Johny Münster, with coach Tony Mcaleavey adding, "Prayers are with you and her family at this difficult time! Sending love your way."
Nippard and Buttermore's romance began when he slid into her DMs. "Our first date was a shoulder workout and I will never forget it," Nippard once joked on Instagram. "We got along like best friends right away because we established a foundation of shared interests and values from the beginning."
The pair got engaged in October 2022, and he shared the happy news on his social media page, writing, "Last month, I asked Steph to marry me and she said yes! It's been an amazing journey of growth and love. Can't wait for the next chapter together."
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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 9:33 AM.