The Salem Statesman-Journal reports the cause of death of former IFBB pro bodybuilder Shelley Beattie (”Farewell to one who beat so many obstacles,” March 10):

Shelley Beattie was an inspiration to the deaf community, overcoming her disability to become a professional bodybuilder, a television personality and a competitive sailor.

“The only thing I can’t do is hear,” she used to say.

Last month she discovered one other thing she couldn’t do: live with bipolar disorder. While under a doctor’s care during a six-week stay at a psychiatric hospital, she took her own life.

Shelley was extremely popular as a person, a female bodybuilder, an athlete, and an American Gladiator as can be seen by the comments to the original announcment of her death.

Our condolences to her parents, Jack Beattie and Laura Mitchell, and her life partner, Julie Moisa.