‘Sports activities Science’ Host John Brenkus Died by Suicide, Says Medical Examiner: Report

Two days after John Brenkus’ death was announced, his reason behind demise was revealed.

Brenkus died by suicide on Saturday, Could 31, in line with TMZ, citing the Virginia Division of Well being, Workplace of the Chief Medical Examiner. PEOPLE has reached out to the division for remark.

His demise was introduced through an announcement posted to his X account on Sunday, June 1, and the Brinx.TV website.

“It’s with profound unhappiness that we share the information that John Brenkus has handed away. John, co-founder of BASE Productions, founding father of Brinx.TV, and co-creator and host of the 6-time Emmy Award-winning Sport Science, had been battling despair,” the assertion mentioned.

The assertion famous that “John misplaced his battle with this horrible sickness on Could thirty first, 2025.”

“His heartbroken household and buddies request privateness presently, and encourage anybody who’s fighting despair to hunt assist,” the assertion continued.

Sport Science first aired on Fox Sports activities in 2007, earlier than shifting to ESPN.

The present, hosted by Brenkus, uncovered “sports activities’ greatest myths and mysteries through the use of cutting-edge know-how to measure momentum, friction and the legal guidelines of gravity,” in line with an ESPN synopsis.

Brenkus hosted practically 1,800 segments explaining the correlation between science and sports activities, USA Today reported.

ESPN shared a tribute to the late host on SportsCenter, asserting his demise to viewers and remembering him as an “innovator, entertainer and educator,” who “shall be missed by many.”

Brenkus was vocal about his psychological well being, telling Marcellus Wiley in a 2023 episode of Never Shut Up that he as soon as fell right into a “deep deep despair” after promoting Sport Science to ESPN.

“I used to be flat out suicidal,” Brenkus mentioned, including, “I used to be able to do it and my canine Zeppelin got here to my rescue. Actually pulled on my pants, on my denims, and actually was going loopy. Would not depart me alone.”

After the expertise, he referred to as his mother and mentioned, ” ‘There’s one thing incorrect with me. I’m mentally misplaced.’ ”

“I then went by way of a battle, I’m telling you, a battle to get out of it,” he mentioned, noting that he “lastly discovered the best way,” after going to 6 completely different psychologists and psychiatrists.

In the event you or somebody you already know is fighting psychological well being challenges, emotional misery, substance use issues, or simply wants to speak, name or textual content 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.