Justin Eilers, two-time heavyweight championship contender, was shot dead Friday morning in a sad and confusing domestic disturbance incident. He was 30 years old, past his prime for an MMA fighter, but far too young for a man to die.

Eilers twice contended for title belts, including his last fight in July, a two-round TKO loss to Antonio Silva for the EliteXC Heavweight Championship. His 19-7-1 career record was also marked by a loss to Andrei Arlovski for the UFC heavyweight title.

From SHERDOG.COM:

Canyon County sheriffs arrived at the residence at 10:44 p.m. MST, where Eilers was found shot and wounded.

“Emergency medical staff took live-saving measures, but they were unsuccessful,” said Capt. Dana Maxfield.

Eilers was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy conducted Friday released the cause of death as a single gunshot wound to the chest. The bullet reportedly punctured Eilers’ lung before exiting his body, said Monte Cox, Eiler’s longtime manager.

Cox said Eilers had gathered with relatives for the holidays, but tensions escalated with an ex-girlfriend, also in attendance. Eilers was asked to leave the residence, but was said to have refused and began throwing dishes and other objects in protest. The home’s owner was then said to have pulled a gun on Eilers and shot him in the chest after a brief verbal confrontation.

Eilers’ ex-girlfriend, mother, and young son were said to have been in the room at the time of the shooting.