Former UFC fighter Justin Eilers is dead after a single gunshot to the chest on Christmas night.
Police were called to an Idaho residence on Christmas night after receiving a domestic disturbance call. They arrived at 10:44 p.m., finding Eilers unconscious on the floor. Attempts to revive the MMA fighter were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
James Robert Malec, believed to be the boyfriend of Eilers’ mother, was arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting.
According to Eilers’ manager, Monte Cox, the incident occurred during a holiday gathering at Malec’s home. Tensions escalated between Eilers and an ex-girlfriend, and he was asked to leave, but refused and began throwing things. After a brief verbal confrontation, Malec pulled a gun and shot Eilers in the chest.
Eilers is the third MMA fighter to die recently. On December 18, Justin Levens and his wife Sarah were found dead from gunshot wounds in an apparent murder/suicide, and in September, Evan Tanner was found dead in the desert.