Renowned Australian bodybuilder, street artist, and father-of-four Mark Taylor, aka MeatAXE, has died at the age of 50 after suffering a tragic medical episode at the wheel of his car on Saturday evening. The athlete was on his way to a birthday party with his five-year-old son when the tragedy occurred.
Witnesses called paramedics when they found the 50-year-old slumped inside his car. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, Taylor passed away before his wife arrived on the scene. According to The Sun, Taylor’s wife Renée was leading a retreat three hours away and drove through the night to reach her husband and their son Harlow, but he sadly died before she could get there. The couple had been together for eight years, and had celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary only days earlier.
A heart-wrenching statement was posted to Taylor’s official Instagram confirming the tragic news. In it, the post reads:
@themeataxe, Instagram
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of @themeataxe – Mark Taylor. A devoted father, husband and friend. An artist whose legacy and love will forever live on.
Widely known as a competitive bodybuilder for many years, with a deep passion for street art, many of Taylor’s art exhibits are featured in Australia’s most popular gyms. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, close friend Siobhan Duivenvoorden described how well-respected Taylor was in the community and how he combined his love of sports and art and channelled it through his work.
“He was a passionate bodybuilder and used his artistry to amplify the messages and careers of other athletes,’ she told Daily Mail Australia. “He used his passion for good. He has so many amazing connections where everyone would speak highly of him.” Going further, she added, “He was the kind of guy who would help anyone out. Him and Renée had such an incredible love, everyone just said he was obsessed with her… he would send her off on holiday to Bali; send her off to get massages; he showered her in poetry.“
With news of his tragic passing, tributes from all over the internet came pouring in for the acclaimed sportsman. One fan on Instagram wrote, “Gentle giant with a huge heart ❤️ R.I.P Mark“, while another penned, “So sorry to hear. A pioneer of the supps world. Thoughts are with Renee & the Axe fam 🤍”
Meanwhile, fellow Australian street artist Mark Adnate sent his condolences, writing a moving post on Instagram: “Wow we have lost a Melbourne Legend. I will be forever grateful for seeing his burner Clap piece on the Hurstbridge line in the 90s, with the two Manga characters kissing. This was one of my first inspirations to start painting walls and big Portraits!! Always a positive influence on everyone he met, much love to him and his family. May his sole rest and forever shine through the amazing legacy he has left behind 🕊️🙏”
A GoFundMe page for Mark Taylor’s family has been setup and has so far raised over $47,000. His wife Renée is apparently overwhelmed by the support, and plans to oversee the family supplement business Axe Laboratories for the foreseeable future.
