UPDATE 5/22 8:33 A.M. EST: Multiple sources have confirmed to TMZ Sports that Ashley was found hanging in an apparent suicide. The death has been classified as “non-criminal”.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
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Former WWE superstar and one-time Survivor contestant Ashley Massaro has died, according to media reports.
The ex-professional wrestler was transported from her Suffolk County, New York home to a hospital via ambulance on Thursday morning, according to TMZ. Once at the hospital, she was pronounced dead.
She was just 39 years old.
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Officials in Suffolk County have not yet released a cause of death as of Friday morning; all we know from sources is that Massaro’s passing has reportedly been deemed “non-criminal” in nature.
The pro athlete formerly won WWE’s 2005 Raw Diva Search, which at the time included a one-year, $250,000 contract with the wrestling outfit.
She went on to have a several-year career in the pro wrestling wring, most notably becoming a valet for eventual WWE tag team champions Paul London and Brian Kendrick. Massaro also took on some high-profile matches of her own, as well; she fought for the WWE Women’s Championship belt against Melina at Wrestlemania 23 back in 2007.
In that same year, she appeared on the April cover of Playboy, revealing the sexy photo shoot during an episode of Smackdown. Also in that year, she appeared on Survivor: China, though she was voted out by fellow contestants in just the second episode of the show.
In 2008, Massaro wrestled another one of the most high-profile matches of her career, in a Playboy BunnyMania LumberJill match at Wrestlemania 24.
She kept a lower profile in pro wrestling in the years since, later cutting ties with WWE before returning to the ring in 2017 with a smaller independent pro circuit, but she maintained a connection with her fan base all the while.
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WWE released a statement about Massaro’s death, too (below):
“We are saddened to learn of the tragic death of former WWE Superstar Ashley Massaro. She performed in WWE from 2005-2008 and was beloved by her fellow Superstars and fans around the world. WWE offers its condolences to Ashley’s family and friends.”
So very sad…
Now, she’s gone from the world far too soon at just 39 years old, and authorities, friends, fans, and loved ones are all stuck looking for answers and wondering what happened.
Were U a fan of Ashley Massaro, Perezcious readers?! Share a memory, condolence, or good thought with us today (below).
R.I.P…
[Image via WENN]
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