Cause of death revealed for ‘Wipeout’ competitor who died after collapsing on course

LOS ANGELES – A 38-year-old man died of natural causes during a recording of the TBS show “Wipeout” last fall, the LA County Coroner’s Office has determined.

Michael Paredes passed out after falling off the show’s obstacle course on November 18. He passed away a day later. A coroner’s report, released Friday, showed Paredes had died of a heart attack and suffered from undetected coronary artery disease.

The toxicology report also showed Parades was drug and alcohol free when he died. The report states that he regularly consumed Nutrex Outlift Amped, a pre-workout dietary supplement. According to the report, Parades drank a cup of water mixed with the supplement powder on the morning of the show’s recording.

The autopsy does not suggest that the supplement played a role in Paredes’ death. He does indicate, however, that his fiancée told investigators the supplement could have triggered a false positive result for MDMA, or ecstasy, shortly after Paredes arrived at the hospital. She told investigators he does not drink or use drugs. He also did not experience any bad effects from the supplement and did not indicate any headaches or other ailments before he fell off the obstacle course.

According to the report, Paredes managed to clear two of the hurdles, but fell on the third. He struggled to swim to the edge of the pool and had to be removed. He was transported in a wheelchair but quickly lost consciousness. Spectators began to practice CPR and paramedics were called. He was taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, where he was pronounced dead the next day.

According to his fiancee, Paredes exercised two hours a day, five days a week. He and his fiancee were selling wellness products, including the Nutrex product he consumed.

He and his fiancee both appeared on the show. To qualify, the two had to undergo drug testing, an EKG and a Covid-19 test. They both passed the screening.

“Wipeout” aired on ABC from 2008 to 2014. TBS announced last year that it was rebooting the show, but it has yet to premiere. The show is produced by Endemol Shine North America. The companies offered their condolences to Paredes’ family after his death.