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Getbig Bodybuilding Boards => History - Stories - and Memories => Craig Titus & Kelly Ryan Discussions => Topic started by: Ozark on December 24, 2005, 07:46:06 PM
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I used to be his workout partner for a while back in the 90's, before he moved of to LA..... and the thing that I can say about Craig, ( back then) is he was alway's nice to me, I was not your typical Bodybuilder in the fact I had a good job, and never was into the Bodybuilding lifestyle, except for the training, eating and trying to get big. I never did recreational drugs, heck I have never even smoked weed, I just never wanted to. One day Craig approached me at the gym, and asked if I wanted to train with him, as he was about 3 months out from a contest, and he needed a serious training partner, I agreed, and we started traiinng, We trained hard in the gym for about a year, became somewhat good friends, we would meet for lunch when my schedule allowed it. Back then, ( llike now) I made a good living, and Craig never once hit me up for a loan, or tried to use me, like all the other stories I have read on here, never one time did he try to sell me drug's or even ask if I used recreational drugs. Well about a year later, my job was transfered to another city , and we never did train together again, I heard he moved out out to LA with his girlfriend shorly there after.
I remember some of the other guy's he hung around with at the time, I remember a friend of his that would come train with us every now and then, he ( his friend) had a ankle bracelet ( Monitor) and I remember Craig telling me he was out on bail for something , but to be honest I dont remember what, and also maybe 2 or 3 other guys that he would hang out with in the gym some, they all seemed to not have a real job, and they seemed to all date Strippers.
He used to tell me how shady the Bodybuilding industry was ( in detail), he would tell me that he hoped to turn pro soon, save his cash, and be out of it in 5 to 10 years, this was back around 94 , 95. He used to tell me I was lucky that I had a life outsdfe of Bodybuilding , a career, and was not a Bodybuilding Bum, and although many used to tell me I should get more serious and that I could go far becasue of my genetics, but that was never an interest to me, I just never had a desire to get in a small swim suit, and get up in front of people on a stage) plus I had busted my ass in college, and already had my career going . Wel after a year I lost touch with him, and had not talked to him in over 8 yearsor so, and now to read about all of this , is just shocking.
All I can say is this was not the Craig I knew, not the least bit, he was always nice to me, very humble and seemed to be very focused on his future in Bodybuilding and for his day's after bodybuilding.
To read how messed up his life has become, it just shocking, I sit here now and wonder did I ever really know him ? or was it the recreational drugs that changed him ? like in the latest Johnny Cash movie, how when Cash got into to drugs, he went down hill fast, and lost all of his friends and family, until finally getting clean, was this what happened to Craig maybe ? or was it him moving to LA that did this ? like all the stories he told me about LA, ? It just seems it is best not to ever go to LA, Haney in Georgia, Yates staying in England, Coleman in Texas, it just seems it is best to stay out of that LA bodybuilding scene . Buit what do I know.... ? I am only going of of what he himself told me about LA, and what I have also read on here. maybe it is bad every where for People in the Bodybuilding Liferstyle now.
I don't really know the answer, as the Craig I knew was 10 years ago. All I do know is it is so tragic to read about all of this, and all of the lives that are ruined.
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Craig is still the same Craig.
The only difference is his wife IMO killed someone.
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Yep he is the same old guy. Ex-con drug dealing scumbag and now murderer or at the very least an accessory to murder. Yep he is the old guy. But hopefully now he'll be put away for good.
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Well - everyone is entitled to their opinion. But I have known Craig for a while, and he has only been cool with me. Same with Kelly. I prefer to see the complete set of facts instead of lots of he said, she said stuff.
As for Matt Kline, I have only met him at some parties, and took some cool pics in Vegas.
But do you know exactly what happened yet? Did she overdose, did Kelly do it, did Craig do it. Is there another story that we don't know yet.
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This thing's going to make a great made-for-TV movie without having to embelish much.
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Well - everyone is entitled to their opinion. But I have known Craig for a while, and he has only been cool with me. Same with Kelly. I prefer to see the complete set of facts instead of lots of he said, she said stuff.
As for Matt Kline, I have only met him at some parties, and took some cool pics in Vegas.
But do you know exactly what happened yet? Did she overdose, did Kelly do it, did Craig do it. Is there another story that we don't know yet.
hopefully we will learn more when the state officially files charges
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It just goes to show you how the bodybuilding/party lifestyle can change someone, same with hollywood stars!
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I met him about two years , and he seemed very cool, on the other hand a ten minutes conversation wont give you a full picture of one's character...but all this seems very strange and diabolically tangled up so until more details are gonna be coming out I'll keep an open mind. Lot of facts are pointing actually towards Kelly.... :'(
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Initial impressions have little bearing. OJ was one of the nicest guys i ever met, no attitude.
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That's EXACTLY what I said.. ;)
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I would say L.A. really DOES change people. I live about 70 miles from L.A. but recently completed my education there, commuting 75 miles each way. I will say that one thing about L.A. is that it is a really big city and to be noticed you really need to be above the board, so to speak. That and the fact it is a vacuum for a lot of good "cultural values" that people just abandon when they get there. I did post earlier that I had a friend who was really cool then she got into this scene and she did change. A mutual friend of ours helped her open a gym, buying $30,000 in equipment and all and as soon as she could, she screwed him and forced him out of the business partnership, knowing he had donated his equipment on faith and not really tied in the legal ends.
IMO, there are a lot of shady people in that scene, I trained at her gym for about 2mos. and I would see "juicebox" looking guys coming in. Maybe they made their money in other criminal activities, who knows.
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I would say L.A. really DOES change people. I live about 70 miles from L.A. but recently completed my education there, commuting 75 miles each way. I will say that one thing about L.A. is that it is a really big city and to be noticed you really need to be above the board, so to speak. That and the fact it is a vacuum for a lot of good "cultural values" that people just abandon when they get there. I did post earlier that I had a friend who was really cool then she got into this scene and she did change. A mutual friend of ours helped her open a gym, buying $30,000 in equipment and all and as soon as she could, she screwed him and forced him out of the business partnership, knowing he had donated his equipment on faith and not really tied in the legal ends.
IMO, there are a lot of shady people in that scene, I trained at her gym for about 2mos. and I would see "juicebox" looking guys coming in. Maybe they made their money in other criminal activities, who knows.
protect yourself when dealing with industry people. keep it business not personal.
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Big cities in general; LA moreso if that's possible. It lives up to the stereotypes.
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moral of the story: even if you are in the game, keep it in perspective, always have something to fall back on
i live in socal. i train at venice gold's. some people get too wrapped up in it. keep your life in some semblance of balance.
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moral of the story: even if you are in the game, keep in perspective, always have something to fall back on
i live in socal. i train at venice gold's. some people get too wrapped up in it. keep your life in some semblance of balance.
Correct :)
I also wanted to show that if all of this is true, Craig was not always this way, and that something changed him.
LA ?
Drugs ?
Lifestyle ?
all of the above ?
Just looking back over the last 2 years, it seems that many of the Pro's who turned Pro in the 1993 - 2000 era have paid a price.
Demayo = life
Matarrazzo = health
Mike Francois = health
Flex Wheeler = health
Don Long = health
Munzer = life
Momo = life
Don Younglbood = life
Tom Prince = health
A serious question to those who know :
The fact that here recently very few retire from Pro Bodybuiding with out paying a price ..... such as time in prison, health, or one's life .
What is the price you are willing to pay for a trophy ?
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Well the Craig I knew.................nev er mind, I never really knew Craig.
I dont think any of us "really did." :-\
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I don't think it's a coincidence that Coleman seems relatively normal & to my knowledge, has never lived in Venice or surroundings.
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Where you live is not the problem son.
For the record, in case you missed it, Titus was living in Las Vegas when this occurred and has been for the last 4 years.
That being said, "Murders" live through out the world. :-*
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Shawn, you missed the point.
It is not where he lived currently, the question is did living in the LA bodybuilding scene for a period of time change him ?
or was it the drugs,
or the Lifestyle ?
or ?
look at the last 20 years of the Mr Olympia ....
the trophy went to people that lived away from LA, and the LA scene
Haney in in Georgia
Yates in England
and now Coleman living in Texas
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I understand the insinuation but please, dude left LA because of the Drama for a place that is Full of Drama! Sin City, Party 24/7, Strip Clubs, Sex, Drug Etc............
Venice is many things but it doesn't make people into Killers.
Where you live is not What you are.
There are far more examples of functional people living in LA and Venice who do quite well, than the ones who lose themselves.
LA, like NY and Vegas is tough for people to move into and blend in but Titus live most of his life on the West coast with short stints in Detroit and Texas, Dude is going to be 41 Jan 14th, so when you stack up how long he lived in LA and Vegas it was more than anywhere else in his life.
Just pointing out that where you live does not dictate what you become that's all.
Peace,
S. Ray
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As mentioned, of course previous living environments have an influence. The degree varies by individual.
You're suggesting that Vegas is a big improvement over Venice?
Previous Olympia winners who seem most grounded don't seem to have been living in Venice for the most part. Oliva's another example.
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takes alot of power within not to let your environment consume you.
environment has alot to do with your lifestyle for the weak ones
vegas will leave you dry.
Where you live is not the problem son.
For the record, in case you missed it, Titus was living in Las Vegas when this occurred and has been for the last 4 years.
That being said, "Murders" live through out the world. :-*
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But do you know exactly what happened yet? Did she overdose, did Kelly do it, did Craig do it. Is there another story that we don't know yet.
Outside of being found in the trunk of a burned Jaguar, are most OD victims found with a noose around their neck and duck tape on their mouths Ron?
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CT was on the road to recklessness long before LA
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How do you know that? Causes can't often be separated. Environment's often a contributing factor, like anything else. Recovering alchoholics don't work in liquor stores.
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How do you know that? Causes can't often be separated. Environment's often a contributing factor, like anything else.
to me? oh it's his genetic predisposition
meaning genetic addiction disorder
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There are killers everywhere in the world! ::)
In our industry, I can think of 4 in the 40 years Mr. Olympia has been around:
(Bertil Fox, Sally Mc Neil, Craig Titus, Gordon Kimborough).
These people lived in: St. Kitts, San Diego, Las Vegas & San Francisco.
Please list the names of the Killers that lived in Venice or LA? :-\
Peace,
S. Ray
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You're taking an extreme example. There's no direct correlation between your examples.
More subtle is the correlation between environment and attitudes that can lead to any number of negative behaviors.
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We are talking about Bodybuilders, where they live and what happens to them.
I guess your right, my examples dont relate to the subject matter or discussion at hand. ::)
Who's next.......... ;D
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i hate it when they start shit like that and blame venice for their troubles.
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Agreed. 8)
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I find it funny how people on here blame LA living to the way they act or do things. I grew up in LA and lived there for 30 years before moving here in 89'. Theree isn't a better place to live than LA. The opportunities are everywhere to make money there. You are literally just 2 hours away in any direction from everything you'll need to recreation and fun. The ocean, desert, mountains, Mexico, amusement parks, zoos, everything. Yes it has it's bad places but so does everywhere else in the world. I just never got into those things. Venice back in the 70's and early 80's was awesome to go to. I grew up in Manhattan Beach and is was awesome. I was very sheltered as a kid. It is amazing the things I never knew about growing up. I mean I never seen a samoan or heard of them until 2 years out of high school. I didn't know one thing about drugs. I still really don't. In our 7th grade sex education class me and my friends were betting who knew the real term for pussy. We didn't know it was vagina. Other than here the weather in LA is the best n the country. In LA it is an everyday ocurance to see movie stars and sport heroes. I love LA but I had to leave just because in the industry I was in I was getting tired of spending so mch time driving to interviews and going through all the stress of that industry. I came and did an appearance in Hawaii and loced it and stayed. But, I loved growing up n LA and wouldn't change a thing, So quit blaming LA for anyone's problems. Unless they gre up in East LA then go ahead and blame. Nah.
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Environment's clearly an influence, otherwise you guys could move to Detroit next week..
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why detroit of all places?
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That's my point.
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There are killers everywhere in the world! ::)
In our industry, I can think of 4 in the 40 years Mr. Olympia has been around:
(Bertil Fox, Sally Mc Neil, Craig Titus, Gordon Kimborough).
These people lived in: St. Kitts, San Diego, Las Vegas & San Francisco.
Please list the names of the Killers that lived in Venice or LA? :-\
Peace,
S. Ray
Correction:
It's Oceanside...which is in San Diego County
;)
Don't muddy San Diego's name yo!
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I stand corrected, my bad. :'(
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Outside of being found in the trunk of a burned Jaguar, are most OD victims found with a noose around their neck and duck tape on their mouths Ron?
exactly
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Outside of being found in the trunk of a burned Jaguar, are most OD victims found with a noose around their neck and duck tape on their mouths Ron?
There is no evidence of an actual noose being found around Melissa's neck. There were some sort of rope or cloth like fibers that were found. The only time that I heard of a noose was from a news report and we all know how credible they are.
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There is no evidence of an actual noose being found around Melissa's neck. There were some sort of rope or cloth like fibers that were found. The only time that I heard of a noose was from a news report and we all know how credible they are.
The only time that I heard of a noose was from a news report and we all know how credible they are.
:D
ALL of this came from the news - the entire incident! Lets pick and choose now what we want to believe and what we don't.
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:D
ALL of this came from the news - the entire incident! Lets pick and choose now what we want to believe and what we don't.
Not all, the first part was not on the news.
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you said................
The only time that I heard of a noose was from a news report and we all know how credible they are.
???
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i read a ligation around the neck only
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there have been several reports, none of us have seen them all but.............
"On Dec. 14, before 5 a.m., a trucker saw the Jaguar ablaze. In the trunk, authorities found a body with white fabric around its neck and duct tape across the face.
An autopsy revealed that James had likely died from asphyxiation. "
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Dec-23-Fri-2005/news/5034653.html
I don't know the exact definition of a "noose" but when you're this close does it matter?
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there have been several reports, none of us have seen them all but.............
"On Dec. 14, before 5 a.m., a trucker saw the Jaguar ablaze. In the trunk, authorities found a body with white fabric around its neck and duct tape across the face.
An autopsy revealed that James had likely died from asphyxiation. "
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Dec-23-Fri-2005/news/5034653.html
I don't know the exact definition of a "noose" but when you're this close does it matter?
It matters because when a noose is mentioned most people will assume it was a hangmans noose and she was not hung. It is misleading.
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85-90% of your personality is formed by ag 14 according to most pyschologists.
although 10 percent is still a lot
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Correction:
It's Oceanside...
Which explains Geo.
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Outside of being found in the trunk of a burned Jaguar, are most OD victims found with a noose around their neck and duck tape on their mouths Ron?
If she was overdosing, they might have taped the mouth to hold in possible vomit.
As for the noose, I heard about 2 ex cons who were doing drugs with one their girlfriends. Well the girl started to OD. Rather than call 911 and get her help, they supposedly finished the job by choking her to death. They didn't want to risk getting into trouble for drug possesion, or for possible murder if she died in an ambulance or hospital. And they didn't want to just leave her, in case she pulled through and didn't die, where she could then tell people what happened. They didn't want to go back to jail, as they were both on parole I believe. So they just killed her and got rid of the body. I don't know how, or even if this really happened, as someone told me all this, and he is of questionable character. But something like this could have happened in this case.
If she was overdosing, maybe Titus would do the same kind of thing, to avoid another charge on drugs, or worse if she died. Maybe Kelly was there too, and they figured if she might die anyway, one of them just grabbed a curtain and finished the job. They might have taped the mouth shut first while they thought what to do, so she couldn't make as much noise and have an adjoining room call security.
Who knows what really happened. I tend to believe the theory posted before about them having rough sex, and MJ was purposely being choked. Only it went to far, and they taped and tied her to make it look like a possible kidnapping.
Or Kelly was there alone with her, doing drugs or just talking. When she turned her back on Kelly for a minute, Kelly grabbed some kind of strap or piece of white material, and choked her out from behind. Thus the fact that Kelly didn't have any marks on her from a struggle. I am sure if she caught Melissa of guard, Kelly would be more than strong enough to choke her to death.
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It matters because when a noose is mentioned most people will assume it was a hangmans noose and she was not hung. It is misleading.
If you're HUNG your neck is broken. There are no reports of this.
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If you're HUNG your neck is broken. There are no reports of this.
Good point as that's usually the cause of death in a hanging. Not all the time but most of it.....
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If she was overdosing, they might have taped the mouth to hold in possible vomit
Why to keep the trunk of the Jag clean
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I'VE KNOWN CRAIG SINCE '94 AND HE HAS ALWYS BEEN COOL TO ME AND MY WIFE. I USED TO WRITE TO HIM WHEN HE WAS IN JAIL THE 1ST TIME. WHEN HE GOT OUT HE TOLD ME HOW MUCH MY LETTERS MY MEANT TO HIM AND THAT HE REALLY APPRECIATED IT!!!!! SO ONCE AGAIN A MAN/WOMAN IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY! BUT CRAIG IS A GROWN MAN AND HE CHOSED HIS OWN PATH TO WALK DOWN!!!!
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hahahahahaha, this clown wrote Craig love letters in jail.
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"You make your bed, you lay in it." That goes for all of us.
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hahahahahaha, this clown wrote Craig love letters in jail.
I'll add a few more hahahahahahahahahahaha's. There weren't enough of them ;D
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do unto others as you would have them do unto you
this is the golden rule
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I'VE KNOWN CRAIG SINCE '94 AND HE HAS ALWYS BEEN COOL TO ME AND MY WIFE.
Oh! Well in that case let's release him. ::)
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I'VE KNOWN CRAIG SINCE '94 AND HE HAS ALWYS BEEN COOL TO ME AND MY WIFE. I USED TO WRITE TO HIM WHEN HE WAS IN JAIL THE 1ST TIME. WHEN HE GOT OUT HE TOLD ME HOW MUCH MY LETTERS MY MEANT TO HIM AND THAT HE REALLY APPRECIATED IT!!!!! SO ONCE AGAIN A MAN/WOMAN IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY! BUT CRAIG IS A GROWN MAN AND HE CHOSED HIS OWN PATH TO WALK DOWN!!!!
do you think God knows the truth ?