Fitness influencer Hayley McNeff died on Friday, August 8. She was 37.
“Such a bright light has left this world too soon with the unexpected but peaceful passing of Hayley C. McNeff on August 8, 2025,” an obituary published by Boston.com on Tuesday, August 12, read.
McNeff, who amassed more than 2,000 followers on Instagram, was born and raised in Concord, Massachusetts. She graduated from Concord-Carlisle High School and the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor of Arts degree, according to the obituary.
“A lifelong athlete, she excelled as an accomplished equestrian, a talented board diver and skier as a youth and young adult,” the obituary continued. “As an adult, she discovered a passion for bodybuilding and was the US Bodybuilding Champion during her career. She later pursued graduate studies in psychology, driven by a desire to better understand and help others.”
The obituary honored McNeff as someone who was “known for her quick wit and constant sense of humor,” adding that “she had a gift for making those around her laugh and feel welcomed.”
“Her energy and determination was a constant in her life and she always accomplished what she set out to achieve,” the message read. “She treasured her friendships and nurtured strong, lasting relationships with those who knew her best. Hayley will be deeply missed by her parents, siblings, extended family, and friends.”
The obituary noted that visitation will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home in Wellesley, Massachusetts, on Saturday, August 16, at 10 a.m. ET followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. ET. While relatives and friends were “kindly invited,” the obituary shared that the interment is “private.”
The obituary stated that donations can be made to National Alliance on Mental Illness Massachusetts in her honor.
After news broke of McNeff’s death, fellow body builder Dave Palumbo paid tribute to her via social media and remembered her appearing in the 2016 documentary Raising the Bar.
“I’m sad to hear of the passing of former woman bodybuilder @hayleysmash (HAYLEY MCNEFF) … she left us way too soon,” he captioned his Wednesday, August 13, Instagram post. “She was a good soul, super intelligent and had tremendous potential as a bodybuilder She appeared in @dave_pulcinella RAISING THE BAR videos back in the day and I was proud to be able to call her a friend Prayers to her family and friends. R.I.P. @official_rxmuscle.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.usmagazine.com ’
