Posted on Tue, Feb. 11, 2003
Professional wrestler Curt Hennig found dead in Brandon hotel
Associated Press
BRANDON, Fla. - Professional wrestler Curt "Mr. Perfect" Hennig was found dead in a hotel room Monday. Officials said foul play wasn't suspected.
Hennig, 44, of Champlin, Minn., was scheduled to appear at the Florida State Fair in Tampa on Monday night.
A housekeeper at the Homestead Suites Hotel in Brandon found Hennig in a room about 1:30 p.m, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Hennig was not breathing and was pronounced dead at the scene.
His body has been turned over to the Medical Examiner's Office, and the sheriff's office is conducting a death investigation.
Hennig, the son Minneapolis wrestler Larry "The Axe" Hennig, has wrestled professionally for more than 30 years, according to an online biography. He worked for the World Wrestling Federation and most recently wrestled for Jimmy Hart All-Star Wrestling.
Hart was promoting the event at the fair Monday night. He said a referee associated with the event had spoken with Hennig at about 9:30 a.m. and Hennig sounded fine. Later, the housekeeper entered the room when Hennig didn't respond to repeated knocks on the door, Hart said.
Hart said he had dinner with Hennig and his wife Sunday night and the wrestler seemed healthy and in good spirits.
"It was just devastating news," Hart said. "He was one of the guys around the wrestling business who was a great wrestler. There's great showmen and great wrestlers. He was a little bit of both."
Adieu Mister Perfect