The family of marathoner Frank Meza Says He Was Cyberbullied and then committed suicide

The family of Frank Meza, the 70-year-old marathoner who was found dead Thursday amid cheating allegations, spoke exclusively to Inside Edition about his death.

Authorities say a 70-year-old man has died by suicide after he was disqualified from the Los Angeles Marathon over cheating allegations.

Frank Meza of South Pasadena was found in the Los Angeles River last Thursday after reports that someone may have jumped from a bridge.

The Los Angeles County coroner’s office says Meza died from multiple blunt force traumatic injuries and ruled his death a suicide.

Meza, a retired physician, was a longtime marathon runner.

Days before his death, the Los Angeles Marathon disqualified his finish in the March race. Officials said he left the course and came back from a different position. His time of 2 hours, 53 minutes 10 seconds had been the fastest ever for a man his age.

Meza said he only stopped to relieve himself.

Asked whether the allegations against him killed her husband, Meza's wife, Tina Nevarez, replied, "Yes, I do believe that." He was found dead Thursday. The cause of death was suicide, officials said.

The family said they didn't anticipate he would take his own life but believe cyberbullying led him to do it.

posted Tuesday July 9th