The body of
missing former WWE star Shad Gaspard has washed up on Venice Beach, three days
after being swept out to sea during a swim.
Patrol
officers were called around 1:25 a.m. by a person reporting that a body had
washed ashore, a Los Angeles Police Department statement said.
“The decedent
was identified as Shad Gaspard and next of kin was notified,” it said.
#PierIC at
2:19AM @lacolifeguards @LACOFD @LAPDHQ respond to #VenicePier to a report of a
body along the shoreline that matches the description of Sunday’s missing
swimmer. Crews on-scene extricate from the water and transfer to @lacountymec
pic.twitter.com/b5xYmCOBkj
— LACoFD
Lifeguards (@LACoLifeguards) May 20, 2020
The American
wrestler, 39, had been declared missing
since Sunday afternoon after he was swept out to sea by a rip tide while
swimming with a group of swimmers including his 10-year-old son, Aryeh.
Lifeguards
who raced into the water to rescue the swimmers were able to rescue Gaspard’s
son.
An official
working with the L.A. Fire Department said that they believe the 39-year-old
“did submerge.”
One witness at
the scene said when lifeguards raced into the ocean, Gaspard directed rescuers
to help his son first, which they did.
During the
rescue, another big wave reportedly crashed down on Gaspard and that was the
last time he was seen.
Police and
Coast Guard boats and divers reportedly searched the rough water for nearly two
days before suspending their efforts.
On Tuesday,
his wife Siliana issued a statement thanking authorities for their efforts.
‘We would
like to express our gratitude to the first responders who rescued Aryeh and to
the lifeguards, coast guard, divers, fire and police departments for their
continued efforts to help find our beloved Shad,’ the statement said.
The statement held out hope for the Wrestler’s safe
return: ‘Shad is a fighter, a warrior and a magical soul. We are hoping and
praying for his safe return. As a family we thank you all for your concern and
well wishes. Please continue to keep sending your positivity and prayers to our
beloved Shad.’
Shad Gaspard gained
prominence in the WWE as one half of the tag-team group Cryme Time, along with
his partner, JTG before retiring from the WWE in 2010.
Since his retirement, he has
had small roles in TV and in movies, including the 2015 Kevin Hart comedy “Get
Hard.”
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