Debbie Dobbins

At 21, a friend introduced her to weightlifting, and in 1987 she moved to California. She earned a spot on the Los Angeles Raiders cheerleading squad, a thrill she never forgot. Alongside that, she handled billing for a leasing company. Her true passion, however, was competing. In the Miss Fitness USA contest, she placed fourth in 1992 and second in 1993. She also took first runner-up in the 1993 Ms. Galaxy contest.

In the last months of 1993, she achieved her biggest goal: appearing on the covers of three major fitness publications, Ironman, Musclemag International, and Powerhouse, all within two months. Despite her ambitions, she remained friendly and outgoing. She loved roller-blading along the beach near her home. She was not married.

Tragically, her life ended early. Debbie Dobbins died of smoke inhalation on the morning of December 31st in New York City. Though a resident of Costa Mesa, California, she had gone to New York to work with personal trainer Tom Marinelle, preparing for the 1994 Ms. Galaxy contest. A fire erupted at her apartment; she couldn't escape. Efforts to revive her failed, and she died the following day at a New York City hospital. She was 30.