Kelly Ryan
Encyclopedia
Kelly Ann Ryan is a former International Federation of BodyBuilders
professional fitness competitor.
. This would later serve as a foundation for other athletic activities she would become involved with in high school, such as cheerleading
and basketball
. After high school Kelly decided to pursue journalism at the University of South Carolina
. While studying for her degree in journalism she also worked as a choreographer, which would prove very useful in her decision to become a top fitness athlete. Her first fitness competition was the NPC South Carolina State in 1995, where she placed first.
She would eventually end up winning eight fitness competitions. Her background and presence in fitness contests have made her a familiar face at fitness expositions as well as in fitness magazines. Her "Flyin' Ryan" Routine at the Arnold Classic was mixed by David "KrusH" Wilmore, who also provided the voice over for the announcer in her "Flyin' Ryan" Intro.
Previously married to body builder Craig Titus
, Ryan filed for divorce while in prison in connection with the murder of Melissa James. The divorce became final in December 2009.
The couple awaited trial in Nevada
on charges in the murder of their live-in assistant, Melissa James who had had an affair with Titus. A prosecutor alleged in open court that Titus was part of a plot to murder three witnesses due to testify in the case. No charges were filed and Titus’ defense lawyer said he didn't think that there was enough evidence for charges in the allegation. While awaiting trial, Ryan's mother died of a heart attack said to have been precipitated by stress).
The trial of co-defendant Anthony Gross on arson and accessory to murder charges was separated from the murder trial for Titus and Ryan.
On May 31, 2008, rather than going through a trial, Ryan along with Titus pleaded guilty to reduced charges, with Ryan entering an Alford plea
to arson and battery with a deadly weapon resulting in significant bodily harm. She was then sentenced to two consecutive terms of 3–13 years in prison. With time served from the date of capture, Kelly Ryan is eligible for parole release on December 23, 2011.
International Federation of BodyBuilders
The International Federation of BodyBuilders is a competitive bodybuilding organization founded in 1946 by brothers Ben and Joe Weider and is the highest level of competitive bodybuilding in the world. Currently, the IFBB consists of seven different sub-divisions for different competitors ,...
professional fitness competitor.
Personal and professional background
Kelly Ryan got an early start in her fitness career when, at age eight, she began to train in gymnasticsGymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
. This would later serve as a foundation for other athletic activities she would become involved with in high school, such as cheerleading
Cheerleading
Cheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate...
and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. After high school Kelly decided to pursue journalism at the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
. While studying for her degree in journalism she also worked as a choreographer, which would prove very useful in her decision to become a top fitness athlete. Her first fitness competition was the NPC South Carolina State in 1995, where she placed first.
She would eventually end up winning eight fitness competitions. Her background and presence in fitness contests have made her a familiar face at fitness expositions as well as in fitness magazines. Her "Flyin' Ryan" Routine at the Arnold Classic was mixed by David "KrusH" Wilmore, who also provided the voice over for the announcer in her "Flyin' Ryan" Intro.
Previously married to body builder Craig Titus
Craig Titus
Craig Michael Titus is an American former IFBB professional bodybuilder and a convicted murderer.- Early life :Titus is of French and Greek origin with a French mother and a Greek...
, Ryan filed for divorce while in prison in connection with the murder of Melissa James. The divorce became final in December 2009.
Death of assistant
On December 14, 2005 the burnt corpse of Ryan and Titus' personal assistant Melissa James was discovered inside a Jaguar car belonging to Kelly Ryan. The couple went into hiding together and were arrested along with suspected accomplice, Anthony Gross, after a nine day investigation.The couple awaited trial in Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
on charges in the murder of their live-in assistant, Melissa James who had had an affair with Titus. A prosecutor alleged in open court that Titus was part of a plot to murder three witnesses due to testify in the case. No charges were filed and Titus’ defense lawyer said he didn't think that there was enough evidence for charges in the allegation. While awaiting trial, Ryan's mother died of a heart attack said to have been precipitated by stress).
The trial of co-defendant Anthony Gross on arson and accessory to murder charges was separated from the murder trial for Titus and Ryan.
On May 31, 2008, rather than going through a trial, Ryan along with Titus pleaded guilty to reduced charges, with Ryan entering an Alford plea
Alford plea
An Alford plea in United States law is a guilty plea in criminal court, where the defendant does not admit the act and asserts innocence...
to arson and battery with a deadly weapon resulting in significant bodily harm. She was then sentenced to two consecutive terms of 3–13 years in prison. With time served from the date of capture, Kelly Ryan is eligible for parole release on December 23, 2011.
Competition history
- 2004 Fitness International – 2nd place
- 2003 Fitness OlympiaFitness OlympiaThe Fitness Olympia is a contest in women's fitness competition, and is sanctioned by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness. The contest was first held in 1995. Susie Curry and Adela Garcia have won the most titles, with six.-Winners:...
– 2nd place - 2003 Night of ChampionsNight of ChampionsNight of Champions is a bodybuilding contest held every year in New York City, USA. It began in 1978 and is considered one of the top professional bodybuilding events, with the top five finalists qualifying for the Mr. Olympia contest....
(fitness) – Champion - 2003 Fitness InternationalFitness InternationalThe Fitness International is an annual women's fitness competition run by the International Federation of BodyBuilders. The contest is held annually as part of the Arnold Classic, and was first held in 1997. Susie Curry has won the most titles, with four....
– 3rd place - 2002 GNC Show of Strength – Champion
- 2002 Fitness OlympiaFitness OlympiaThe Fitness Olympia is a contest in women's fitness competition, and is sanctioned by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness. The contest was first held in 1995. Susie Curry and Adela Garcia have won the most titles, with six.-Winners:...
– 2nd - 2002 Jan Tana Pro Fitness – 1st
- 2002 Show of Strength Pro Fitness – 1st
- 2002 Southwest Pro Fitness – 1st
- 2001 Fitness Olympia – 3rd
- 2001 Pittsburgh Pro Fitness – 1st
- 2001 Jan Tana ClassicJan Tana ClassicThe Jan Tana Classic was a female bodybuilding contest organized by the International Federation of BodyBuilders. The contest was named for its promoter, a marketer of tanning products. The Jan Tana Classic was generally considered to be the third most prestigious contest for female bodybuilders,...
– 1st - 2001 Fitness International – 2nd
- 2000 Fitness Olympia – 2nd
- 2000 Fitness International – 1st place
- 1999 IFBB Fitness Olympia – 2nd place
- 1999 IFBB Jan Tana Classic – 1st place
- 1999 World Pro Fitness – 2nd place
- 1998 Ms. Fitness America – 1st place
- 1998 Team Universe Fitness Championships – 1st place and overall winner
- 1996 NPC Junior USA Fitness – 3rd