Shawn Tompkins passed at 37

Who knew that right after I posted a blog about the anniversary of the untimely death of a young Muay Thai Champion, Alex “F-14” Gong, I would now be wrtining about Striking Coach Shawn Tompkins’ death of a heart attack (as reported by his brother-in-law Sam Stout).

Tompkins, 37, died in his sleep Sunday. An autopsy was performed Monday. Results are not available but Stout, who was also one of Tompkins UFC fighters, says it was a heart attack.

The following is an excerpt from an article by Morris Dalla Costa

“I don’t know what to say,” Stout says. “It’s not supposed to be happen to a healthy 37-year-old person. Who would think he had to get checked out for that.”

A spokesperson for the Ingersoll detachment of the OPP said Tompkins death was “not suspicious.”

Tompkins died at a friend’s house in Ingersoll.

“Shawn’s family had a history of heart disease,” said Tompkins’ manager Gary Ibarra of Athletic Management & Representation Group.

Ibarra said he spoke with Tompkins’ wife Emilie, who gave him the details.

“Shawn had an enlarged heart and blocked arteries,” Ibarra said. “No one had any idea.

“It really doesn’t matter how much to exercise and what kind of shape you are in. That’s why everyone is in such shock.”

Tompkins was AMR’s second client and Ibarra said he was probably the most important at the time because it gave his company legitimacy.

“But that’s secondary. Shawn had become a friend,” he said.

The closely knit local MMA community is still reeling over the sudden death. Even though Tompkins was based in Las Vegas his career began in Tillsonburg and London and several of the fighters who have been with him have been with him since they were young.

“Losing Shawn is like losing a brother, a . . . I just don’t know what to say,” said Stout, Emilie Tompkins’ brother.

Stout, Mark Hominick, another UFC fighter, and Chris Horodecki are involved in the Adrenaline Training Centre, a gym that was spawned by Tompkins development of an MMA-based gym in London. Adrenaline will be closed until Monday.

Stout said everyone associated with Tompkins is still in shock.

“You start thinking and you just don’t know where you go from here?” Stout said. “What do we do? Right now where just trying to get through everything.”

Stout said his sister Emilie arrived from Las Vegas Monday.

“I think she’s still in a little bit of shock,” he said. “We just want to make sure we are there for her.”