Kelly Ryan

Kelly Ann Ryan^[1] (born July 10, 1972 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is a former International Federation of BodyBuilders 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 gymnastics. 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.

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.

Death of assistant

On December 14, 2005 the burnt corpse of Ryan and Titus' personal assistant and friend 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.^[2]

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).^[3]

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 pleading guilty to one count of arson and entering an Alford plea to one count of battery with a deadly weapon resulting in significant bodily harm^[4] She was then sentenced to two consecutive terms of 3–13 years in prison. She was granted parole on December 23, 2011 on the assault charges and is now serving her time for the arson charge. On September 2, 2014, Kelly A. Ryan was again denied parole by the Nevada Parole Board and will not be eligible again for parole until October 2017. She is currently incarcerated at the Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center in Nevada.^[1]

Stats

• Height: 5' 3"
• Weight: 120 lbs. Competition; 125 lbs. Off-season

Competition history

• 2004 Fitness International – 2nd place
• 2003 Fitness Olympia – 2nd place
• 2003 Night of Champions (fitness) – Champion
• 2003 Fitness International – 3rd place
• 2002 GNC Show of Strength – Champion
• 2002 Fitness Olympia – 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 Classic – 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

References