Bray Wyatt death updates — WWE star wasn’t wearing doctor-issued heart defibrillator when fiancée found him unresponsive
-
-
-
WINDHAM Rotunda, known to WWE fans as Bray Wyatt, was reportedly not wearing a doctor-issued defibrillator at the time of his death.
Windham's immediate family members have revealed the WWE star had COVID in March 2023 which led to heart complications and a weaker lower heart, reported.
Doctors reportedly advised Windham to continue to wear an external heart defibrillator which is a device designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
Officials revealed that the wrestler was not wearing the device when he died and later found it in his car.
Windham reportedly told his fiancée he was going to take a nap on Thursday and she became worried once she heard his alarm going off for more than an hour, according to police records.
The WWE star's fiancée called 911 while her mother attempted CPR after finding him in bed not breathing and turning blue, police records revealed.
Windham reportedly died from a heart attack, according to Fightful reporter Sean Ross Sapp, but the star's family has not yet released a cause of death.
Read our Bray Wyatt blog for the latest updates...
Meet JoJo Offerman
JoJo Offerman is a professional wrestler known for her role on the reality show Total Divas.
Born on March 10, 1994, the professional wrestler is the daughter of professional baseball player Jose Offerman.
In 2013, JoJo made her debut on Total Divas.
Apart from her career as a wrestler, she also worked as a ring announcer for WWE and previously RAW.
She and Bray Wyatt – real name Windham Rotunda – were in a relationship prior to his sudden death in August 2023.
On April 28, 2022, JoJo revealed via Instagram that the two were engaged.
In a post showing off her flashy ring, JoJo wrote: “A million times YES! I love you Windham and I can’t wait to marry you (even though it feels like we’re already…”
Luke Harper's cause of death revealed
Luke Harper shockingly died after a long battle with a lung illness.
His wife, Amanda Huber revealed the devastating news in a post on social media.
She : "My best friend died today. I never wanted to write out those words. My heart is broken."
Huber said her husband "passed surrounded by loved ones after a hard-fought battle with a non Covid related lung issue."
Luke Harper's tragic death
Jon Huber, known to WWE fans as Luke Harper tragically passed away in December 2020.
All Elite Wrestlingoffering condolences to Huber's family, saying the community is "heartbroken."
The statement wrote: "In an industry filled with good people, Jon Huber was exceptionally respected and beloved in every way – a fierce and captivating talent."
WWE commentator Mihir Joshi called his death "truly heartbreaking" while ESPN editor Tim Fiorvanti.
Other tributes poured in for the late wrestler, who said: "I’m at a loss for words!!!!!"
More on Bray Wyatt's best friend Luke Harper
Jonathan Huber, known to fans as Luke Harper, was a popular professional wrestler.
He was born on December 16, 1979, in Rochester, New York.
Jon launched his career in sports entertainment when he debuted for the first time with WWE in May 2012.
But he left the ring in 2019 to move to better pastures.
Fans claimed the decision came after the company failed to "take advantage of his full potential".
He then performed for AEW - where he hit the stage until his death in 2020.
More on The Wyatt Family
The Wyatt Family was an American professional wrestling group performing in WWE.
It was originally formed by Bray Wyatt, Erick Rowan, and Luke Harper.
Unfortunately, the group lost two of its members, Wyatt and Harper.
The group rose to stardom back in 2012 and became a staple in the WWE world.
Bray Wyatt was a dad to four kids
The beloved dad had two daughters named Cadyn and Kendyl from his previous marriage with Samantha Rotunda.
After Bray ended the relationship, the ex-couple were able to raise their daughter in a co-parenting arrangement.
Apart from Bray's children with Samantha, he also shared two children with his fiance Jojo Offerman.
The couple shared two children together.
Bray Wyatt's merchandise sales to help family
Bray Wyatt was more than a famous wrestler, as he left behind an incredible legacy including four children.
Shortly after Wyatt's death, WWE announced that all the proceeds from his merchandise sales would go to his family.
On the official website it wrote: "In the wake of Bray Wyatt's death, WWE will donate all net proceeds to support JoJo Offerman and his children."
'He will be back'
In early August 2023, wrestling journalist Bill Apter spoke to Bray Wyatt's father who told him: "Don't believe what you see on the internet. But he will be back," reported.
However, according to wrestling reporter Sean Ross Sapp, Wyatt died of a heart attack.
"I was given permission to reveal that earlier this year Windham Rotunda (Bray Wyatt) got COVID that exacerbated a heart issues," he on X. "There was a lot of positive progress towards a return and his recovery."
More on Bray Wyatt's family
Bray Wyatt's father, Mike is married to Stephanie Windham - the daughter of wrestler Blackjack Mulligan.
Together they welcomed three children together, two sons Windham and Taylor, and a daughter, Mika.
Both their sons followed in their father's footsteps to become pro wrestlers.
In the past, Taylor has worked with the WWE and is known under his ring name, Bo Dallas.
Meet Bray Wyatt's father, Mike Rotunda
Mike Rotunda was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, on March 30, 1958.
He is a retired professional wrestler best recognized for his time in the WWE, fighting under various names like Michael Wallstreet, Irwin R. Schyster, and V.K. Wallstreet.
Rotunda retired from professional wrestling back in 2003 and started his own security company with his wife a year later.
In July 2022, he was inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Smackdown felt the spirit of Bray Wyatt
WWE honored Bray Wyatt on Smackdown last Friday.
His rival, LA Knight paid tribute to Wyatt as fans chanted: "Thank you Bray."
The audience made fireflies to hold up in honor of Wyatt's infamous bit, "The Firefly Fun House."
After seeing the fireflies, Knight said he could feel Wyatt's spirit in the room.
LA Knight honors Bray Wyatt
WWE fan-favorite LA Knight honored Bray Wyatt on the latest episode of Smackdown.
The two had an intense feud that engaged fans everywhere, but Knight put the plot aside to honor his former colleague.
He entered the ring, calmed the fans down, and told the arena: "Tonight's about Bray Wyatt."
Knight added: "Sometimes your greatest foes, turn out to be your greatest helpers."
The WWE star recalled their countless battles and thanked Wyatt for preparing him for anything.
Fans remember Bray Wyatt's match against John Cena
Fans are remembering Bray Wyatt's contribution to WWE on social media, including his match against John Cena.
One fan shared the promo for their fight and wrote: "The best WWE Promi ever, Bray Wyatt vs John Cena. You just had the be there."
Another commented on Cena's tribute: "You guys made magic together!"
A third agreed: "That #FireflyFunhouse cinematic match at WM36 was one of the best cinematic matches that I've ever seen.
"You and Bray were simply amazing. You guys clicked on every level. Bray will be dearly missed."
John Cena honors Bray Wyatt
John Cena tweeted an emotional tribute to his friend and colleague Windham Rotunda, known to fans as Bray Wyatt.
Empty chair tribute
Last night’s SmackDown event ended in a hush as one of many uncharacteristically silent moments of the night.
On such moment occurred as an empty rocking chair was left swaying in the spotlight of the empty ring.
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) explain how dramatically it impacted them.
One user was nearly immediately in tears: “as soon as the video ended I started crying immediately, man.”
“This chair will always be empty now,” wrote another user.
Another noted how appropriately dramatic the moment was: “Watching Zelina & Scarlett in tears and then the spotlight on Brays rocking chair. Already got to me.”
Devastated fans after Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk's deaths
Wyatt's fans flooded social media with tributes to the wrestler on Thursday, and they shared their thoughts on Friday's tribute as well.
One fan wrote: "As soon as the video ended, I started crying immediately, man :(."
Another person said: "I legitimately teared up."
A third fan said: "Hearing the crowd sing 'He's Got the Whole World in His Hands' gave me chills."
Finally, a fourth person wrote: "Such a beautiful tribute.
"He seemed like a decent human being who loved his family and friends, and he was an absolute creative genius in the wrestling business."
Tearful tribute on SmackDown
Tears streamed down the faces of his fellow WWE wrestlers as a heartbreaking showed clips of Wyatt with his family and in the ring.
The video started with the beloved wrestler's iconic walkout with his lantern.
It went on to feature a series of touching clips showcasing Wyatt's storied career and images of his children and fiancée, Jojo Offerman.
WWE stars Cody Rhodes, Finn Balor, Luke Gallows, and AJ Styles were seen on stage overcome with emotion.
Bray Wyatt was a third-generation wrestler
Windham Rotunda, a former WWE Champion, is best known for his creativity and promo skills.
He was a third-generation wrestler as the grandson of Blackjack Mulligan and the son of Mike Rotunda, better known under the ring name Irwin R. Schyster – IRS.
Rotunda also has a brother, Taylor Rotunda, who performed in the WWE under the name Bo Dallas.
Last televised match was in January
Bray Wyatt’s last televised match was at the Royal Rumble against LA Knight in late January.
He continued to wrestle at live events and dark matches after Raw through the ongoing weeks.
The Firefly Fun House star was later spotted in a WWE ring in February in Rockford, Illinois, nearly 90 miles west of Chicago.
He was due to fight Bobby Lashley at WrestleMania 39, but that bout never happened.
Bray made his debut in 2009
Windham Lawrence Rotunda, widely known as Bray Wyatt, was born on May 23, 1987, in Brooksville, Florida.
Bray was the son of WWE Hall of Famer, Mike Rotunda, and the grandson of the professional wrestler and football player, Blackjack Mulligan.
In 2009, Bray made his debut at the Florida Championship Wrestling beating Brian Jossie.
Throughout his career, Bray competed in an array of WWE events including Smackdown! and SummerSlam.
In 2014, Bray went against legendary wrestler, John Cena in what was named the match of the year.
In 2019, Bray took home the Male Wrestler of the Year award at the WWE Year-End Awards.
Meet JoJo Offerman
JoJo Offerman is a professional wrestler known for her role on the reality show Total Divas.
Born on March 10, 1994, the professional wrestler is the daughter of professional baseball player Jose Offerman.
In 2013, JoJo made her debut on Total Divas.
Apart from her career as a wrestler, she also worked as a ring announcer for WWE and previously RAW.
She and Bray Wyatt – real name Windham Rotunda – were in a relationship prior to his sudden death in August 2023.
On April 28, 2022, JoJo revealed via Instagram that the two were engaged.
In a post showing off her flashy ring, JoJo wrote: “A million times YES! I love you Windham and I can’t wait to marry you (even though it feels like we’re already…”
Credit: Instagram / joseann_alexie
Bray Wyatt co-parented with his ex-wife
While married, Bray and Samantha welcomed two daughters, Cadyn and Kendyl Rotunda.
While Samantha and Bray have moved on, the two seem to have worked things out as parents.
In June 2019, Samantha took to Instagram to speak on their parenting arrangements.
She wrote: “I am truly so thankful for both of these men and because of our team effort, that we are working on each and every day, my girls are growing into amazing little women (who will never ever date…ever, if these guys have any say).
“It’s not always easy, but it’s our life, and they are what matters!”
Apart from Bray’s children with Samantha, he shared two children with Jojo.
About Bray’s ex-wife
Samantha Rotunda is a real estate agent from Florida.
She and Bray Wyatt met in college and fell in love. The two eventually tied the knot in 2012.
While Bray was married to Samantha, he met and began dating Jojo Offerman, who he was engaged to at the time of his death.
This resulted in Samatha filing for divorce in 2017.
Samantha has since moved on with a landscape laborer named Dan Pixley.
WWE legend Booker T finds out Bray Wyatt has died during live stream
Booker T shockingly found out about Bray Wyatt’s tragic death while on a live stream.
The veteran wrestler was speaking to Brad Gilmore at the beginning of their The Hall Of Fame podcast.
However, Gilmore was notified of Wyatt’s sudden and sad passing when he saw a tweet from Triple H.
The host initially did not know how to continue before deciding to read out the post, which confirmed Wyatt had died aged 36.
But as Gilmore announced the news, Booker T was visibly shattered and heartbroken.
He sat motionless for a while before blinking and looking down in complete shock and horror.
Ric Flair pays tribute
WWE legend Ric Flair paid tribute to Bray Wyatt on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He posted a photo of Wyatt alongside Terry Funk, a former WWE star who also died this week.
Flair captioned the post: “When Your Great Friend And Someone Your Son’s Age Dies Within 2 Days, It Really Makes Me Reflect & Think About Life! Don’t Take Any Second For Granted! Rest In Peace Terry Funk & Bray Wyatt!”