The body of former professional wrestler Shad Gaspard, who went missing while swimming at a California beach with his 10-year-old son Sunday, was found washed onshore early Wednesday. He was 39.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department, Lifeguard Division, confirmed that the body that was found matched that of Gaspard, KCBS reported.
Police officers were called to Venice Beach around 1:45 a.m. after a man was found lifeless, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Brian Humphrey told the television station. The body was found by two people who were walking along the shoreline of the beach around 1:30 a.m.
BREAKING: @LACoLifeguards confirm body found washed up on Venice Beach this morning matches that of WWE star Shad Gaspard, who went missing Sunday afternoon. @CBSLA pic.twitter.com/i1RuITRJCu
— Tina Patel (@tina_patel) May 20, 2020
According to TMZ, Gaspard, 39, and his son were among a group of people caught in a strong rip current at the beach in Marina del Rey at about 4 p.m. Sunday.
WWE is saddened to learn that former WWE Superstar Shad Gaspard has passed away at the age of 39. https://t.co/ngyuRpkjps
— WWE (@WWE) May 20, 2020
>> Report: Former WWE star Shad Gaspard goes missing during swim at California beach
Lifeguards pulled several people out of the water, including Gaspard’s son, but the former member of the Cryme Tyme tag team was not one of them, according to TMZ.
So sad. If it’s him I’m glad they found the body. Closure is good. So sorry to the family. Dad gave his life for his son. Something we all would do for our children. RIP Shad. https://t.co/0Uuv5PlrbZ
— Was a Cactus that Sneaks (@WJets420) May 20, 2020
Underwater searching for Gaspard was halted at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, county lifeguards told KNBC. Periodic land-based patrols continued through the night and underwater searching resumed at 7 a.m. Monday, the television station reported.
Gaspard, who was 6 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs 285 pounds, was born in Brooklyn, New York. He made national news outside the ring in December 2016 when he disarmed a potential robber who had a BB gun in a South Florida convenience store, restraining him until authorities arrived.
Gaspard has appeared in films such as “Get Hard” (2015) and “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” (2014), according to IMDb.com.
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