Patrick Arnold the chemist behind the BALCO steroid scandal dies at 59

Summary

Patrick Arnold, the chemist who invented THG, the undetectable steroid known as "the clear" at the center of the BALCO doping scandal, died at 59 in Guilford, Connecticut, with the cause of death unknown.
Arnold's creation of undetectable performance enhancing drugs gave athletes including Barry Bonds, Marion Jones, and Jason Giambi a significant edge over competitors, ultimately triggering a federal investigation in 2003 that led to Arnold serving three months in prison.
Described by his brothers as a mad scientist driven purely by the science rather than money or fame, Arnold left checks uncashed, occasionally relied on federal food assistance, and never fully escaped the psychological toll of government raids and the scandal's fallout.
Despite the notoriety, Arnold continued researching until his death, making early contributions to the ketogenic diet and later focusing on epilepsy, muscle wasting, and longevity.