Healthy young Nashville chef, 26, dies while running in a marathon as his ... trends now
A young man working as a chef has died while running a marathon in Nashville.
Joey Fecci, 26, was found unresponsive in the Shelby Park portion of the race and emergency responders performed CPR, according to the organizers of the St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Running Series.
Fecci was then transported to a nearby hospital where he died on Saturday.
The man's heartbroken family released a statement to the public, calling him a 'bright light of inspiration.'
It read: 'It is with unbearable grief and immense sorrow that we share our dear and beloved Joey transitioned to the other side on Saturday April 27th.
'He was a bright light of inspiration and positivity to everyone that was blessed to cross paths with him. He was a treasured son, brother, boyfriend, and friend to so many. He leaves behind a broken family that loves him so very much.'
Joey Fecci (pictured) was a Michelin-level chef in the Nashville area and died tragically on Saturday during a marathon
Fecci (pictured second from the right) alongside chefs in a famous restaurant called Dal Pescatore Santini in northern Italy
Fecci's cause of death isn't yet clear as authorities haven't released any concrete details
The Rock 'n' Roll Running Series also released a statement offering sympathies to the family and friends of Fecci, pledging to give them support through 'this very difficult time.'
The marathon organizers didn't reveal what led up to or caused Fecci's death, but Nashville police said he was nearly four hours into the race when he was found in Shelby Park.
Fecci's girlfriend posted a slideshow of images of him and her together in various settings.
'Oh Joey. I am so so sorry,' she wrote in the caption of the Instagram post. 'We will never be able to fully understand. I will never fill this void in my soul. You are and were my protector. We understood every piece of each other and loved each other so deeply. I want to hug you again so bad.'
She ended it with: 'Rest in peace my love. The most handsome, the best laugh, the best energy.
