Los Angeles police say a body found on Venice Beach is that of Shad Gaspard, the former WWE wrestler who was caught in a rip tide while swimming with his son last weekend.
Patrol officers were flagged down in the early hours of Wednesday by a person reporting that a body had washed ashore, a police statement said. “The decedent was identified as Shad Gaspard and next of kin was notified,” it said.
Gaspard’s 10-year-old son, Aryeh, was rescued and several other swimmers made it out of the water safely after they were caught in the strong currents on Sunday afternoon at Venice Beach in Los Angeles.
Gaspard, 39, was about 50 yards from shore when he was last spotted. “When last seen by the lifeguard, a wave had crashed over Mr Shad Gaspard and he was swept out to sea,” Los Angeles police said in a statement on Monday.
Gaspard’s wife, Siliana, issued a statement on Tuesday thanking authorities and fans. “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.
Gaspard gained prominence in the WWE as one half of the tag-team group Cryme Time, along with his partner, JTG. After retiring from the WWE in 2010, Gaspard has had small roles on TV and in movies, including the 2015 Kevin Hart comedy Get Hard.