Body Found On Venice Beach Identified As WWE Wrestler Shad Gaspard
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — The body of a man found near a lifeguard tower at Venice Beach early Wednesday has been identified by police as former professional wrestler Shad Gaspard, who went missing while swimming in the ocean with his son over the weekend, officials said.
Police officers were called at about 1:45 a.m. to Lifeguard Tower 26 on Venice Beach, where a man was found lifeless, Los Angeles Fire Department's Brian Humphrey said. The body had been reported to authorities by two people who were walking on the beach at low tide, about 1:30 a.m.
LA County lifeguards later confirmed the body matches Gaspard's description, which was also confirmed by the LAPD in a news release. There was no signs of foul play.
The area where the body was found is about a half mile north of where former WWE star Shad Gaspard was last seen. Gaspard has been missing since Sunday, when he and his 10-year-old son got caught in a rip current while swimming.
When lifeguards swam out to save the pair, Gaspard reportedly told them to save his son. They were unable to swim back for Gaspard, who could not be found by search crews in helicopters.
Crews searched for Gaspard since Sunday, but the search was called off Tuesday.
The LAPD says Gaspard's family, some of whom were on the scene where his body was found, has been notified.
