Ex-WWE star Shad Gaspard ‘threw his son, 10, to life guard to save him while he was being swept out to sea by rip tide’
EX-WWE star Shad Gaspard reportedly threw his son, 10, to a lifeguard to save him while he was being swept out to sea by a rip tide.
GASPARD'S body was found Wednesday on a Los Angeles beach, just days after he was swept out into the ocean while swimming with friends and family.
An eyewitness told the Daily Mail that just before the 39-year-old was swept away in the deadly tide, Gaspard threw his 10-year-old son to a lifeguard, saving him.
"His main concern was the safety of his son," the witness told the Daily Mail.
"He did everything he could to protect his boy," they added.
Gaspard was at Venice Beach with his family when he and his son got caught in a deadly current around 4pm on Sunday.
As help arrived to save the father-son duo, Gaspard told lifeguards to save his son before he was caught and pulled away by another wave.
Gaspard's son was "25-35 yards out when the lifeguard rescued him,' Kenichi Haskett, Section Chief with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Lifeguard Services told the Daily Mail.
He said the encounter near the California beach happened "in just a moment's notice."
For days, crews searched for the ex-WWE star.
Early Wednesday morning, officials confirmed they found Gaspard's body on Venice Beach.
Gaspard's heartbroken wife, Siliana, 35, posted an emotional tribute to her husband on Friday.
"Aryeh, myself and the Gaspard and Chittick families would like to take this time to thank everyone for their prayers and support, as we mourn the terrible loss of our beloved Shad," Siliana wrote in post.
"Shad was our whole world and we were his."
She added that "There are not enough words to describe what he means to all of us."
"He was our heart, our soul, our protector, our warrior.
"He was a bright force of nature, who brought joy to many through his joyous and gracious nature.
She thanked her husband's friends, coworkers, and fans that gave an "outpouring of love."
"We’d like to once again thank the lifeguards, coast guard, divers, fire and police departments for their efforts. Shad was and will always be our real-life superhero," she wrote.
"I love you more my love," she added at the end of her post.
Friends and colleagues of Gaspard's – including WWE legend Triple H and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, shared their own tributes to the late WWE star when news of his death emerged.
"I join fans around the world as we remember Shad Gaspard as a beloved performer and a caring father," Triple H wrote.
"In absolutely tragic circumstances, please keep his loved ones in your thoughts."
MOST READ IN NEWS
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson wrote: "My prayers and hope for Shad Gaspard’s wife, son and family during this unthinkable time. Man, this is a tough one. A really tough one. Great guy."
WWE also shared a post highlighting tributes to Gaspard from the "WWE Family."
"The WWE Universe was saddened to learn of the passing of Shad Gaspard, and many have honored his legacy and shared lasting memories," the WWE wrote.