New details have surfaced regarding the tragic passing of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, and they suggest his death may have been tied to medical malpractice.
According to TMZ Sports, law enforcement sources claim a witness at the scene told Clearwater PD officers that a surgeon had severed Hogan’s phrenic nerve during a recent operation, which may have caused him to stop breathing. The phrenic nerve is critical to respiration, stimulating the diaphragm to control breathing.
The report notes that Hogan did not suffer a traditional heart attack-like episode; instead, he “merely stopped breathing.” Hogan’s wife, Sky, reportedly noticed his breathing had stopped and made the 911 call.
An occupational therapist who was present at Hogan’s Florida home that day informed police that malpractice may have been involved, though it remains unclear whether the surgery was heart- or neck-related.
The TMZ report also states that conversations between responding officers about the therapist’s claims were captured on their body cameras. However, these records — along with 911 tapes — are currently on “lockdown” and not accessible via Freedom of Information Act requests.
Hogan’s daughter, Brooke Hogan, recently voiced her concerns on Instagram, saying she had received “legit calls from professionals” who were with her father when he died and believed something was wrong. She also questioned the legitimacy of the physician who signed off on her father’s death certificate and revealed she has no legal authority over post-mortem decisions.
Brooke further shared that she was told an autopsy would be performed, though no further details have been made available. TMZ noted that as of a week ago, Hogan’s body had not been cremated, but it is unknown if that has since changed.
Brooke concluded her statement asking for privacy, writing:
“At the end of the day, answers would be great, but none of it brings my dad back. And my hands are tied.”
Stay tuned to PWMania.com for more updates on this developing story.
