India, Aug. 15 -- Champion bodybuilder and fitness influencer, Hayley McNeff, has died unexpectedly at the age of 37. According to her obituary published in Boston.com, she passed away at her home in Sudbury, Massachusetts on August 8, and her death was "unexpected but peaceful." A native of Massachusetts, she graduated from UMass Amherst, and later became a nutritionist and life coach, besides being a nationally ranked bodybuilder.

In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE Magazine, McNeff's family spoke out about her sudden death:

"Hayley was like a beam of light in this world. She had boundless energy and was very determined to achieve whatever she set out to do. She set her sights on bodybuilding and fitness and achieved the highest succe...