Shad Gaspard Dead At 39, WWE Issues Statement On His Passing

Former WWE Superstar Shad Gaspard has passed away at the age of 39.

As noted earlier this morning, an unidentified body was found in the sand on Venice Beach, near where Gaspard went missing on Sunday while swimming with his 10 year old son. The discovery was made about halfway between the Venice Beach pier and the lifeguard headquarters by two people walking on the beach at around 1:30am local time, according to a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson.

In an update, the Los Angeles Fire Department just held a news conference and confirmed that the body found was Gaspard, according to TMZ.

Gaspard went missing on Sunday after getting caught in a strong rip current with his son. He saved his son's life by instructing the first responding lifeguard to help him. Gaspard was then hit by a large wave that took him under, and that was the last time he was seen. You can click here for details on what happened during the rescue from the first responders. The recent statements from Vince McMahon and WWE on the Shad incident, and support for the Gaspard family can be found here. The recent statement from Shad's wife Siliana can be found at this link.

We here at Wrestling Inc. would like to send our condolences to Gaspard's family and friends.

WWE issued the following updated statement on Gaspard's passing this morning:

Shad Gaspard passes away

WWE is saddened to learn that former WWE Superstar Shad Gaspard has passed away at the age of 39.

Gaspard had gone missing while swimming with his son at Venice Beach in California on May 17. In his final act, Gaspard instructed lifeguards to save his son's life.

Gaspard was best known in WWE as one-half of Cryme Tyme with JTG. The fan-favorite duo memorably joined forces with John Cena during his 2008 rivalry with JBL, and competed for the WWE Tag Team Titles at SummerSlam 2009. Shad and JTG would later square off in heated fashion after a falling out in 2010.

Before entering the squared circle, Gaspard played basketball at Georgia Perimeter College. He was also a former bodyguard for P.Diddy, Britney Spears and Mike Tyson.

Admired by friends and colleagues for his warmth and humor, Gaspard was no stranger to heroic deeds. In 2016, he broke up an armed robbery in Coral Springs, Fla., pinning the suspect to the ground until police arrived.

Gaspard was also a multitalented individual, creating his own graphic novel and acting in several TV shows and films, including "Brothers" and "Think Like a Man Too."

WWE extends its condolences to Gaspard's family, friends and fans.