'Cursed month': Wrestling fans in disbelief over double tragedy
Wrestling fans around the world are in mourning following the tragic deaths of two stars within the space of a week.
Hana Kimura, a Japanese pro wrestler who also appeared in the latest series of the popular reality show ‘Terrace House’ died on Saturday at the age of 22.
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Stardom Wrestling confirmed Kimura's death, saying details are still largely unknown and the group was co-operating in an investigation.
“We are very sorry to report that our Hana Kimura has passed away,” the organisation said in a statement.
Kimura was found dead at her home, Japanese media said.
The tragedy came just days after former WWE star Shad Gaspard drowned after getting in trouble while swimming at Venice Beach in Los Angeles.
Police on Wednesday confirmed Gaspard’s body had been found after he was caught in a rip current.
Gaspard went missing last Sunday after he went swimming with his 10-year-old son, Aryeh.
The boy was rescued and several other swimmers made it out of the water safely, with Gaspard reportedly telling lifesavers to help his son first.
Gaspard, 39, gained prominence in the WWE as one half of the tag-team group Cryme Tyme, along with his partner, JTG.
After retiring in 2010, Gaspard has had small roles on TV and in movies, including the 2015 Kevin Hart comedy “Get Hard.”
He was about 50 metres from shore when he was last spotted by a lifeguard, police said.
A wave crashed over him and he was swept out to sea.
Fans in disbelief over devastating double tragedy
Kimura became the target of massive bullying on social media over her role on the ‘Terrace House’ show on Netflix, which involves three men and three women temporarily living together at a shared house in Tokyo.
The show was temporarily suspended due to the coronavirus.
In her latest Instagram posting Friday, she published a photo of herself and her cat, with a message saying “Goodbye.”
Another posting carried a message “I love you, live long and happy. I'm sorry.”
Her death has triggered a wave of messages on social media against anonymous bullying and hateful messages.
Rest In Peace, Shad Gaspard.
Rest In Peace, Hana Kimura.
Stay Strong, Pro Wrestling ♥️#StayStrongProWrestling pic.twitter.com/LYAtDJhzsX— Based Salvy (@BasedSalvy) May 23, 2020
As of May 23rd, 2020, it's now 21 years since Owen Hart fell to his death during a WWE pay-per-view.
May is a cursed month for wrestling. We lost Owen in 1999, and now Hana Kimura and Shad Gaspard in just one week. pic.twitter.com/UBbGcNGfWP— Niko S. Kennedy (@mcskatkaat) May 23, 2020
Hana Kimura (03/09/1997-23/05/2020
Shad Gaspard
(13/01/1981-17/05/2020)
Will always be remembered#HanaKimura #ShadGaspard pic.twitter.com/etlFhMJe3P— Cangaceiro farroupilha™ (@molejo44) May 23, 2020
We lost 3 wrestlers in the span of a month:
Supreme, XPW and Deathmatch legend
Shad Gaspard, WWE star and one half of the most entertaining Tag Teams Cryme Tyme
Hana Kimura, young Stardom wrestler who could've made it big.
Rest In Peace to all 3 pic.twitter.com/9gV8ptK5jT— Angel Tengkorak (@EuphoricAngel91) May 23, 2020
Rest In Peace Hana kimura
Rest In Peace Shad Gaspard
Two great ppl who didn’t deserve to go— B (@fastlifeebg) May 23, 2020
1st, Shad dies, at 39, in his very terrible incident, now, just in a matter of a couple days, Stardom's Hana Kimura dies, at 22, due to a very sad situation of her own. The entire wrestling world has been rocked bad this week. R.I.P Shad & Hana. 😢😭💔
— rs112117 (@rs1121172) May 23, 2020
with Associated Press
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