WWE star Ashley Massaro, 39, who was found dead in her New York apartment last week, hanged herself in an apparent suicide after claiming wrestling concussions made her spiral into depression
- The manner of WWE star Ashley Massaro's tragic suicide death on Thursday has been revealed as by hanging, according to sources
- The 39-year-old's death was classified as 'non-criminal'
- She was found unconscious inside her Suffolk County, New York home Thursday
- She was transported to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead
- She died eight months after the dismissal of a lawsuit where she claimed head injuries she sustained during wrestling career made her spiral into depression
- Massaro's lawyer says her brain may be analyzed by a top doctor for signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE
- The wrestler and model was a WWE Superstar from 2005 to 2008
The manner of WWE star Ashley Massaro's tragic death has been revealed as by hanging.
The 39-year-old's death is being classified as 'non-criminal' after she died in an apparent suicide, according to TMZ sources.
The manner of her death had not previously been publicly disclosed and the official cause of death is yet to be released.
The wrestler was found unconscious inside her Suffolk County, New York, home early Thursday morning and was transported to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead.
She will be laid to rest in Suffolk County. She is survived her 18-year-old daughter Alexa.
The manner of WWE star Ashley Massaro's tragic suicide death on Thursday has been revealed as by hanging
She died eight months after the dismissal of a lawsuit where she claimed head injuries she sustained during wrestling career made her spiral into depression
The apparent suicide on Thursday came eight months after the dismissal of a lawsuit in which she claimed head injuries sustained during her wrestling career had caused her to spiral into depression.
Upon news of her death the WWE put out a statement, saying: '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.'
The WWE honored her on Sunday with a full screen 'In Memory' slate during their Sunday 'Money in the Bank' event.
Share this article
'She performed in WWE from 2005 to 2008 and was also a Playboy model
She was found unconscious inside her $500,000 Suffolk County, New York, home on Thursday and was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead
The wrestler was a WWE Superstar from 2005 to 2008, and rose to even greater notoriety among a mainstream audience after appearing on the cover of Playboy.
Her daughter, Alexa Massaro, paid tribute to her mother in a heartfelt Instagram post.
'I wish i could have gotten more recent pictures,' Alexa reportedly wrote. 'I love you, mommy i want to wake up in your arms more than anything i want to give u a big hug please come back this can’t be real.'
The deceased wrestler's attorney, Konstantine Kyros, told the New York Post that her brain may now be analyzed by a top doctor for signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.
While CTE can only be diagnosed after death, the degenerative brain disease is known to cause memory loss, confusion and personality changes, including depression and suicidal thoughts.
Massaro had one daughter, Alexa (left), who will turn 19 years old in July
She posted via Instagram: 'I wish i could have gotten more recent pictures'
The doctor likely to examine Massaro's brain is Bennet Omalu, a prominent professor at the University of California Davis.
Known as the 'Concussion doctor', he has previously diagnosed six former wrestlers with CTE by examining their brains following death.
Massaro joined a class action lawsuit against WWE in 2016, in which she accused the company of concealing risks of injury known to cause neurological damage.
The suit was dismissed in September 2018, but is pending appeal with a court date scheduled for next month.
