‘She-Hulk’ Bodybuilder Dies in Brutal Attack: Husband Is Primary Suspect
Investigators believe she was fatally attacked with a hammer
Zunilda Hoyos Méndez, a professional bodybuilder known as ‘La Mujer Hulk’ (She-Hulk), has died at the age of 43 under deeply tragic circumstances.
According to police reports, Hoyos was allegedly killed by her husband, Jarrod Gelling, 46, a Colombian-American national, in their apartment in the Higueron West residential complex in Fuengirola, Spain. Investigators believe she was fatally attacked with a hammer. After the incident, the suspect is reported to have taken his own life.
Both bodies were found inside the apartment. Authorities say the condition of Gelling’s body appears consistent with suicide. As a result, the case is being investigated as a possible instance of gender-based violence.
#Internacional | 📷📷Asesinan a martillazos a una estrella colombiana de fisicoculturismo
📷Zunilda Hoyos Méndez, conocida como la «mujer Hulk» fue asesinada a martillazos el pasado jueves #19jun en su casa de Costa del Sol en España, informan medios locales. pic.twitter.com/wBCMm0r8Lw
— Notitarde (@webnotitarde) June 20, 2025
The alarm was first raised by a fellow gym member who reported not having seen or heard from Hoyos since June 14. Local officials confirmed there were no previous formal complaints against the man.
However, people close to Zunilda have shared that she had been planning to divorce her husband due to his aggressive behavior. Her nieces also confirmed to La Verdad newspaper that she had been a victim of domestic abuse.
What Happens Now?
If it’s confirmed that Zunilda Hoyos Méndez was killed by her husband, the case would become the fifth confirmed femicide in Andalusia so far in 2025. Unfortunately, this tragedy also reflects a broader, disturbing pattern of gender-based violence. Not only in Spain but around the world—including high-profile cases like that of influencer Valeria Márquez, whose murder was recorded live.
La fisicoculturista colombiana Zunilda Hoyos Méndez, conocida como la “Mujer Hulk“, fue asesinada a martillazos en su residencia de la Costa del Sol, en España.
▪️La policía dice que el autor del asesinato fue su esposo, quien luego se quitó la vida con un arma blanca. pic.twitter.com/uFzBG9wCn1
— @ALTOS_NOTICIASpy (@Altosnoticiasp1) June 22, 2025
One of the ‘She Hulk’ nieces spoke with the press, saying: “For my aunt, this trip was meant to be her last with him—a goodbye. She had already decided to divorce him because of his violent behavior. They had separated once before for quite a while, then got back together and tried to work things out… but the abuse continued.”
Branden Rey, her personal trainer, also shared a heartfelt message on social media after the news broke: “You could have been among the top 10 in the world this year.”