A therapist who had been present at the time of Hulk Hogan’s death allegedly told officers that the wrestling legend had a critical nerve “severed” while undergoing surgery recently, prompting further police investigation, TMZ first reported on Thursday.
In a statement to the outlet, the Clearwater Police Department in Florida, said that the investigation of Hogan’s death is ongoing.
“We have been in communication with family members — including his son, Nick, and daughter, Brooke. The unique nature of this case has required us to interview multiple witnesses and seek medical records from a variety of providers, and our detectives continue to do that. All of this takes time.”
“The Hogan family has been appreciative of our efforts and our communication with them,” the police statement said.
Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, was found dead early July 24 in his Clearwater home. First responders arrived after receiving a call regarding a cardiac arrest.
An occupational therapist was reportedly present at Hogan’s home when he stopped breathing and raised alarms about his condition.
According to law enforcement sources cited by TMZ, the therapist told responding officers that Hogan may have been the victim of medical malpractice. The unnamed therapist allegedly said that a surgeon had “severed” Hogan’s phrenic nerve during a recent medical procedure.
The report, which is under “lockdown,” states that Hogan’s therapist told police that the surgeon accidentally severed his phrenic nerve. This nerve controls the diaphragm, which is essential for breathing.
Sources suggest that Hogan did not experience a chest-clenching episode before his death; instead, he simply stopped breathing. It was his wife, Sky, who noticed his breathing had ceased and raised the alarm, prompting the 911 call.
News of the therapist’s claims comes days after Hogan’s estranged daughter, Brooke, publicly demanded to see police body-cam footage from the day her father died.
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