VERMILION, Ohio (AP) — A man who lost 63 pounds in less than four months to join the Army has died, in part, of diet-related causes.
The mother of 20-year-old Glenni “Glenn” Wilsey V, of Vermilion in northeast Ohio, says her son told her he was following the advice of recruiters, including self-induced vomiting.
Wilsey had weighed 260 pounds before the diet. He weighed 197 when he died.
The Army says it is investigating and can’t comment on whether recruiters coached his diet.
The Lorain county coroner blames the March 3 death on acute cardiac dysrhythmia due to an electrolyte imbalance. The coroner listed a contributing factor of extreme dieting.
Lora Bailey says she isn’t blaming the recruiters but thinks the Army’s weight goals are responsible. She wants the issue addressed to protect recruits.