A body found early Wednesday morning on Venice Beach has been identified as former WWE star Shad Gaspard, authorities said.
The body washed ashore near the Venice Beach pier, and did not show any initial signs of foul play, LAPD Lt. Titus Tyler told reporters during a morning news conference.
#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
— LACoLifeguards (@LACoLifeguards) May 20, 2020
The Los Angeles County coroner’s office was called to the beach after the unidentified body washed ashore near where Gaspard was swept out to sea Sunday. The remains were later identified as the missing wrestler and actor.
“WWE is saddened to learn that former WWE Superstar Shad Gaspard has passed away at the age of 39,” the WWE said in a statement posted on social media.
As previously reported, Gaspard, 39, was swept away Sunday while swimming during strong rip currents. Lifeguards rescued his 10-year-old son who was with Gaspard at the time. The boy was treated by paramedics, but did not need require hospitalization.
Gaspard was last seen by a Los Angeles County lifeguard on May 17, 2020, around 3:40 p.m., as he swam in the Pacific Ocean approximately 50 yards from Venice Beach, according to police.
“When last seen by the lifeguard, a wave had crashed over Mr. Shad Gaspard and he was swept out to sea,” the LAPD previously said.
Gaspard is best known for being a member of the wrestling team Cryme Tyme with fellow WWE star JTG, which debuted in 2006. After leaving the WWE in 2010, he pursued an acting career and appeared in the film Get Hard and the TV movie The Last Sharknado: It’s About Time.
Before joining the WWE, Gaspard played basketball at Georgia Perimeter College. He was also a former bodyguard for P. Diddy, Britney Spears and Mike Tyson, the WWE said.
