Boksburg professional bodybuilder Tyrel Ekermans was stabbed to death in Cape Town in the early hours of Saturday morning (April 21).

According to Ekermans’ close friend, Mark Stent, Ekermans, 36, was involved in a scuffle with a man after trying to help a woman when he was fatally stabbed.

“A man had grabbed the handbag of the woman and Tyrel ran after him to get it back. He got into a scuffle with the guy and he was suddenly laying there,” Stent said.

“What he did says a lot about his heart; he died a hero. That’s just the kind of man Tyrel was – he protected and looked after people.”

On his last morning alive he wrote on Facebook that he was “waking up to the ocean”.

RIP my brutha Tyrel Jade Ekermans . Words cannot express the sadness after hearing the news of yo passing . My condolences to Bianca Lee Juchau & family — feeling sad at Bloubergstrand https://t.co/3Ey1xhItkv

— DjMamba S.A. (@djmamba) April 21, 2018

Ekermans’ sister, Bianca Lee Juchau, told the Advertiser that her brother was loved by everyone that knew him.

“There was nowhere we could go without people stopping us to say hello to Tyrel.

“The amount of love and support our family has received is unmeasurable.”

RIP Zoogy, gone way too soon. My sincerest condolences to the family and those close to him. Tyrel Jade Ekermans — feeling sad

— Chad Luckhoff (@chadluckhoff) April 21, 2018

Very sad news to wake up and hear that @tyrelekermans tttnutrition has passed away. Gone far too… https://t.co/RtdmeT5FJC

— Hunter13 (@huntermma13) April 21, 2018

Investigations are under way. No arrests have yet been made.

Ekermans, who owned bodybuilding supplement company TTT Nutrition and who  was an avid pit bull breeder, is survived by his toddler son, Jordan, and his wife, Ciara.

In 2014 the Advertiser reported on Ekermans securing a top five finish at the Universe competition in Italy.

ALSO READ: Tyrel shares his Mr Universe journey