Pro Wrestlers Who Died Before Turning 40

Publish date: 2024-05-04

Kerry Von Erich was part of a legendary family of wrestlers. Following in their father Fritz Von Erich's footsteps, Kevin, David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris became superstar wrestlers and competed in Fritz's promotion, the World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), per WWE. Kerry was the most famous and went on to compete for the WWE and won the Intercontinental Championship in 1990. But like most of his brothers, Kerry's career would be short lived, as he died at a young age.

Kerry suffered from substance abuse problems after a motorcycle accident led to his right foot being amputated, the Baltimore Sun reports. In 1992, he was sentenced to 10 years of probation for cocaine possession, but prosecutors were eager to send him to prison. Not a week after a warrant for his arrest was issued, Kerry's body was found at his father's ranch, having died by suicide. Kerry was 33 years old. His father, whose real name is Jack Adkisson, said tax problems, along with the death of his brothers, had weighed heavily on Kerry and led to depression. Four of the Von Erich brothers had already died, two of which were labeled as suicides, Oxygen explains. The string of tragedies have led people to believe the family was cursed, but their legacy will live on as one of the first successful wrestling families.

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline​ by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255)​.

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