Body of Former Pro Wrestler Found on Beach 2 Days After He Went Missing
Shad Gaspard, 39, was caught during a riptide together with his 10-year-old son, Aryeh. His last words were “just secure my son, rescue my son,” the authorities said.
Shad Gaspard was within the WWE’s Cryme Tyme duo. He was also an actor, appearing in “Get Hard” and “Black Panther.”
Shad Gaspard was within the WWE’s Cryme Tyme duo. He was also an actor, appearing in “Get Hard” and “Black Panther.”Credit...Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for MTV
By Sandra E. Garcia
May 20, 2020, 7:17 p.m. ET
The body of the previous pro wrestler Shad Gaspard was found after it washed ashore on Venice Beach early Wednesday morning, the authorities said.
Mr. Gaspard, 39, was reported missing on Sunday, after he was swept bent sea by a riptide while swimming together with his son, Aryeh, 10, consistent with the l. a. County local department Lifeguard Division.
Around 1:25 a.m. on Wednesday, a policeman was flagged down by an individual reporting that a body had washed ashore on the beach, the l. a. local department said. The body was later identified as Mr. Gaspard’s.
Initially, Mr. Gaspard and his son were swimming in waist-deep water, but conditions changed quickly, Kenichi Haskett, the section chief of the lifeguard division, said in an interview on Wednesday.
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A lifeguard had noticed that the daddy and son were struggling within the water and began to rescue them. Aryeh was closer to the shore, therefore the lifeguard was ready to reach him first, the authorities said.
“The lifeguard went out on a two-person rescue therein riptide , 75 yards off shore,” Chief Haskett said, adding that Mr. Gaspard had seen the lifeguard and pointed him to Aryeh.
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“His previous couple of words were ‘just secure my son, rescue my son,’” Chief Haskett said.
The lifeguard brought the kid to shore and ran back bent rescue Mr. Gaspard, who was struggling in five- to six-foot waves but still floating.
“In 60 seconds, the lifeguard went back bent go get Shad,” Chief Haskett said. “He saw him then a wave came and pushed him under.” Mr. Gaspard didn't resurface again.
Lifeguards began to look for Mr. Gaspard on Sunday but couldn't locate him. The search continued subsequent day with divers and sonar equipment. On Tuesday, the Coast Guard called off its search, but the l. a. County Lifeguards continued to seem for Mr. Gaspard, Chief Haskett said.
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“We would really like to precise our gratitude to the primary responders who rescued Aryeh and to the lifeguards, Coast Guard, divers, fire and police departments for his or her continued efforts to assist find our beloved Shad,” Siliana Gaspard, Mr. Gaspard’s wife, wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
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Mr. Gaspard was a member of the WWE’s Cryme Tyme duo. In 2008, the team partnered up with John Cena to assist him together with his rivalry with another wrestler named JBL. Mr. Gaspard was also an actor, appearing in “Get Hard” in 2015 with Kevin Hart and can Ferrell, and “Black Panther” in 2018.
“WWE is saddened to find out that former WWE Superstar Shad Gaspard has gave up the ghost at the age of 39,” the wrestling company said during a statement. “Admired by friends and colleagues for his warmth and humor, Gaspard was no stranger to heroic deeds.”
Dwayne Johnson, who was also a wrestler, sent the Gaspard family his condolences on Twitter.
“Man, this is often a troublesome one,” Mr. Johnson said. “A really tough one. Great guy.”