39-year-old Shad Gaspard was found dead after he went missing on Sunday, May 17 at Marina Del Rey Beach while swimming with his family. His son was rescued by lifeguards just moments before Gaspard got hit by a wave, submerging him.
The horrible, yet expected, news about Shad Gaspard was confirmed today after his body washed ashore in Venice Beach, three days after he vanished. The Los Angeles County Coroner confirmed the identity of the body hours after the recovery.
Gaspard, born in Brooklyn, made his pro wrestling debut in 2003. A year before, he qualified to be a part of the second season of Tough Enough but was then replaced after he failed a physical test.
Following his Tough Enough journey, Gaspard headed to Ohio Valley Wrestling where he trained there until he was signed by WWE in 2005.
After a year in developmental at WWE, Gaspard joined JTG to form The Gang Stars, which was later renamed to Cryme Tyme. The duo made their debut on Raw in October 2006 and defeated The Sprit Squad in their first match.
Gaspard and JTG were released from their contract in 2007 and Gaspard hit the independents before another call came in from WWE. He and JTG were re-signed in 2008 and spent two years there before once again they got cut from their deals.
In 2016, Gaspard made headlines when he prevented an armed robbery at a gas station in Coral Springs, Florida. The former wrestler took the assailant’s gun and restrained him until cops arrived on the scene.
Gaspard was married to Siliana and leaves behind a 10-year-old son.
