WWE stars who died too young – family ‘curse’, tragic drowning and gruesome murder

The wrestling industry is littered with stories of broken down heroes who died far too young, from tragic in-ring accidents to the consequences of a killer road schedule and a cocktail of drugs

Professional wrestling puts on a front of glitz and glamour as its superstars entertain huge crowds every night and millions around the world on television. But behind the curtain, many stars face their own demons as they struggle with life on the road.

And the industry has a tragic history of stars dying far too young, with the impact of the business taking a huge toll on their bodies. During the 1980s and 90s, life on the road for many stars was a gruelling treadmill of more than 300 shows a year.

A lot of wrestlers turned to drink and drugs to ease their pain, often combined with steroids to keep their muscle-bound physiques in top condition. Here, your Daily Star takes a look at some of the tragic wrestlers that never made it home.

Owen Hart

The youngest of the Stu Hart’s 12 kids, Owen and brother Bret were two of the biggest stars of the famous wrestling dynasty. With his high-flying style combined with technical ability, Owen was one of the most versatile and beloved stars of the 90s.

But his life was cut tragically short just in 1999, when he died in the ring when a stunt went tragically during a live event just days after 34th birthday. The father-of-two was due to be lowered from the ceiling of the Kemper Arena in Kansas city as part of a ring entrance.

But he plunged 50 feet when the harness failed and he hit landed on a padded metal turnbuckle. Medics scrambled to the ring to perform CPR but he was later pronounced dead in hospital, but his legacy lives on in rival company AEW with the Owen Hart tournament.

British Bulldog

The grim reaper of wrestling struck the Hart family again three years later when Owen’s brother-in-law Davey Boy Smith died aged just 39 while on holiday. The Wigan-born grappler was known to millions by his ring name the British Bulldog and was a top star.

He was initially thought to have had a heart attack, but while an autopsy proved inconclusive, it indicated that years of steroid use, severe injuries and stress contributed to his death.

Forensic scientist Julie Evans concluded he died from natural causes associated with an enlarged heart. Davey’s daughter Georgia told us last year she feels “ripped off” that he died “so suddenly and so young.” A campaign has been launched for Davey to be honoured in his hometown.

Chris Benoit

One of the darkest moments in wrestling history came in 2007 when WWE headliner Chris Benoit killed his wife and son in a double murder-suicide. The muscle-bound maniac, 40, murdered his wife Nancy on June 22 and his seven-year-old son Daniel the next day.

Then he hung himself at his home in Fayetteville, Georgia, using a weight-machine pulley. His death prompted the WWE to air a special tribute show hours before the full horrors of the incident came to light.

Widely considered to be one of the finest in-ring performers of all time, his name has been erased from WWE history and his matches are never broadcast on the company’s official programming.

Eddie Guerrero

One of Benoit’s best friends, Eddie was also considered one of the finest ring technicians ever and also died in tragic circumstances aged just 38. After wrestling in Mexico and WCW, Eddie and Benoit both joined the WWE in 2000.

The pair won World Championships at WrestleMania XX in 2004, seen as a crowning achievement of their careers. But a year later, Eddie was found dead in his hotel bathroom by his cousin, fellow wrestler Chavo Guerrero Jr.

His cause of death was listed as acute heart failure. He had previously been addicted to alcohol and drugs, including painkillers and steroids and suffered three drug overdoses before becoming sober. Fans still chant his name at WWE shows today, with tributes paid through in-ring moves by Mexican wrestlers on a regular basis.

Shad Gaspard

Shad Gaspard, who wrestled in the WWE as one half of the tag team Cryme Time, died trying to save his 10-year-old son Aryeh after he got swept away in a rip tide in 2020. His son was rescued but lifeguards couldn’t save Shad.

A search was launched for Shad but his body tragically washed up on Venice Beach in Los Angeles a few days later.

WWE Hall of Famer Dwayne “The Rock Johnson” posted at the time: “Shad drowned in the ocean, but not before instructing lifeguards to save his son first. That’s the love of a father.”

Chyna

Chyna, real name Joan Laurer, was a trailblazer in the world of wrestling, becoming the first woman to participate in the Royal Rumble. She gained fame as part of D-Generation X, alongside Triple H during her time with WWE.

Later she modelled for Playboy and transitioned into adult films, which led to her being effectively blacklisted from WWE until her death in 2016. Laurer starred in six adult films between 2004 and 2013, including one titled “One Night in Chyna”.

On April 20, 2016, she was found dead at her home in Redondo Beach, California, at 46. An autopsy revealed that she had died on April 17 due to an overdose of alcohol, mixed with a cocktail of drugs.

Mr Perfect

With his blonde curly hair and muscles bursting from every inch of his 18stone frame, Curt Hennig lived up to his ring name with his technical ability. He locked horns with the top stars of the 80s and 90s, having classic matches with the likes of Bret Hart.

He even made a WWE comeback in the early 200s and stilled looked incredible. But away from the ring, his life was blighted by serious injuries and drug addiction.

And he was tragically found dead in a hotel room in Tampa, Florida, in 2003 aged just 44. Acute cocaine intoxication was given as the cause of death. It was stated that steroids and painkillers also contributed.

Yokozuna

Agatupu Rodney Anoei, who wrestled under the ring name Yokozuna as part of a sumo wrestler gimmick, was found dead in a hotel in Liverpool in 2000 aged just 34. The Hawaiian-born wrestler weighed more than 42 stone and suffered a heart attack.

He had twice been the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) heavyweight champion – beating Bret Hart and later Hulk Hogan in 1993 – but bosses grew increasingly concerned for his health when he tipped the scales at close to 50 stone.

He was touring with the WrestleMania roadshow, promoted by the Birkenhead firm Big Time Wrestling Promotions, at the time of his death.

The Von Erich family

The Von Erich family were wrestling royalty in Texas, but they were blighted by tragedy with five out of sixth brothers dying young. The youngest of the family, Jack, was tragically killed after being electrocuted and then drowning in a puddle aged just six.

His brothers followed in their dad’s footsteps and became grapplers, but tragedy stalked the family. David earned high praise as the top “technical” wrestler and was proudly wearing the NWA United States champion crown.

But he was found lifeless in his hotel during the Japanese tour. It was later disclosed that he died from acute enteritis, which led to his intestines rupturing and filling his body with blood, ultimately causing a fatal heart attack.

Three years on, Mike tragically took his own life after developing toxic shock syndrome aged 23. Hindered by a shoulder injury and unable to match the success of his older brothers, his illness-induced brain damage made his wrestling performances increasingly distressing for fans.

Chris, the youngest of the Von Erichs, struggled under the weight of his famous siblings’ shadows. Despite this, by the early ’90s, the youthful-looking Von Erich was wrestling full time, often alongside his brother Kevin to makeup for his limited skills.

Following Mike’s death, Chris fell into a deep depression and turned to drugs to numb the pain. His situation worsened, and in September 1991, Chris ended his life with a gunshot to the head.

When Kerry took his own life in 1993, a week after his 33rd birthday to avoid jail time, it left Kevin Von Erich as the sole surviving brother.

By 1990 Kerry’s career was on a downward spiral after an 80s motorcycle accident resulted in the amputation of his right foot. His disability restricted his ring abilities, leading to an addiction to painkillers.

Instead of facing prison, the shattered wrestler retreated to his father’s ranch, where he ultimately took his own life, firing a single bullet into his heart.

WWE legend Bret Hart wrote in his autobiography: “Kerry confided that he’d made up his mind to join his brothers in heaven.”

Surviving brother Kevin was portrayed by Zac Efron in biopic Iron Claw. He told The Guardian that he did not “believe in a curse” concerning his family. He stated: “I believe he’s a fair and loving God that has our best interests at heart.”

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