Clearwater Police Conclude Investigation into Hulk Hogan’s Death

The Clearwater Police Department has finalized its investigation into the death of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, confirming the cause as natural. The report, spanning 72 pages, outlines a detailed examination of statements, medical records, surveillance footage, and a visual inspection of Hogan’s body.

Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, passed away on July 24 last year at the age of 71. The report stated, “There has been no evidence to indicate the death of Terry Bollea was anything other than natural.” It further noted, “There has been no evidence to indicate any criminal wrongdoing related to his death. This case will be closed, and will be considered solved, non-criminal.”

Present at Hogan’s Clearwater home during his final moments were his wife, Sky Daily Hogan, a home health aide, and an occupational therapist. They attempted CPR after he stopped breathing but were unsuccessful before emergency services arrived. In preceding weeks, Hogan faced multiple health challenges, including leukemia, an irregular heart rhythm, pneumonia, and kidney failure, necessitating various hospitalizations and surgeries.

Initial speculation arose that damage to Hogan’s phrenic nerve during recent surgery contributed to his death, based on statements from the occupational therapist. However, the therapist later clarified that he was unsettled from the CPR and spoke prematurely. The medical examiner ruled the cause of death as a heart attack, with a private family-sponsored autopsy confirming no traumatic or toxicological factors.

Widely regarded as a cornerstone of professional wrestling, Hogan’s career highlight included spearheading the first WrestleMania in 1985. He faced many iconic opponents such as Andre The Giant, Randy Savage, The Rock, and Vince McMahon. Garnering at least six WWE championships, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005 and reinstated in 2018 after an earlier removal due to recorded racial slurs in 2015, for which he later apologized.

A private funeral service took place several weeks posthumously at a church in Largo, Florida, attended by family and close friends.