Australian Mr Universe bodybuilder Calum Von Moger opens up about his brother taking his own life just before he was due to be sentenced for bizarre attack on elderly couple

Troubled three-time former Mr Universe winner Calum von Moger has opened up about his mental health struggles since his younger brother tragically committed suicide a year ago.

Edward von Moger, 28, was filmed shouting at a couple about Covid vaccines through their car window along a Victorian road in August 2022.

The confrontational video showed a shirtless Von Moger hitting the couple’s side window and wing mirror with a boomerang before launching into an expletive-filled tirade about Covid-19 vaccines.

In March 2023, Edward mysteriously disappeared and was later found dead.

While people were searching for Edward, Calum showed up at the prestigious 2023 Arnold Classic bodybuilding competition in Ohio.

Edward von Moger (photo left with his brother) tragically took his own life a year ago

He said it was one of the “toughest moments of his life” and then quickly returned to Australia.

“Everyone is dealing with a little bit of mental anxiety and unfamiliarity and things like that,” Von Moger told the podcast The Kris Fade Show.

“So I made it a point to come back to Australia and I knew my little brother, who I was close to, was going through some things.

“And I’m going to deal with it right away, but last year he basically took his own life. He died.’

Von Moger, who admits he himself struggles with drug addiction, revealed he has also thought about killing himself.

‘I almost did that. I almost put a bullet in my head. “I’ve come really close a few times,” he said.

“I had been talking to myself about it for a while. I kind of planned it. I thought, ‘I’ve just had enough.’ I had kind of prepared myself to do it.

‘What got me is that I think so intensely about my brother, thinking that he is alone in this black abyss, and I thought: I would rather trade this world to be with him – I don’t want him to be alone.

‘I kept telling everyone I was fine, that I wasn’t thinking about it. Then I called a few people and they were able to talk me out of it.’

The Australian bodybuilder (pictured with Arnold Schwarzenegger, who he played in the 2018 film Bigger) admits he has overcome his own suicidal thoughts

Von Monger (pictured) posted a tribute to Ed, saying that since his death, not a day goes by that he doesn’t think of him

Von Monger posted a heartfelt online tribute to his brother Ed last week on the anniversary of his death.

‘I miss him a lot. Rest in paradise Ed,” he wrote.

‘Today marks one year since I lost my younger brother Eddie.

“Not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought about him, or what he might be up to if he were still here.

‘Living in a world without him has been my toughest battle yet, it hasn’t been easy and, to be honest, many times I wanted to quit and join him.

‘Dealing with so many emotions at once that I have never had to process before was difficult, I didn’t understand it. I felt deep sadness, depression, anger, fear, remorse, guilt, fear, and sometimes complete hopelessness.

‘Some days I would walk away for hours and just stare at the sky, other days I would just cry. Most of the time I wanted to be alone and not talk to anyone. It was heavy.’

Von Monger said talking about mental health issues is important and that anyone who reads his words should ask for help if they need it.

‘Talking about this helps and I think the key to moving forward is to be open and honest about what our feelings are telling us and not be afraid to talk about it.

“If you’re going through a tough time, it’s okay to ask for help. Or if you know someone who does, reach out to them to see how they are doing and ask if they are okay. And if they’re not, ask them to talk about it.”

If you need support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636