LAPD Confirms Shad Gaspard Found Dead At Venice Beach

VENICE, CA — The body found at a lifeguard tower in Venice early Wednesday was identified as missing former professional wrestler Shad Gaspard, who disappeared in the waters off the beach over the weekend, Los Angeles Police Department told Patch.

A person reported that a body had washed up on the shore in Venice Beach near 27th Avenue and Ocean Front Walk, according to a Los Angeles Police Department news release.

An investigator from the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office and the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Bureau Homicide responded to investigate.

The body was identified as Shad Gaspard and his family was notified, Los Angeles Police Officer Jader Chaves told Patch.

The body was discovered at Lifeguard Tower 26 about 1:45 a.m., according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

LAPD Pacific Division will continue the investigation, Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department told Patch.

"Shad Gaspard was last seen by a Los Angeles County lifeguard about 3:40 p.m. (Sunday) as he swam in the ocean about 50 yards from Venice Beach in the county of Los Angeles," a Los Angeles Police Department statement said. "When last seen by the lifeguard, a wave had crashed over (him) and he was swept out to sea."

The incident occurred near the 4200 block of S. Ocean Front Walk, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported. County lifeguards pulled Gaspard's 10- year-old son from the water. He was evaluated by LAFD paramedics but did not require hospitalization.

The elder Gaspard, however, was nowhere to be found, prompting divers to begin a search of the water.

Underwater searches for Gaspard were conducted on Sunday and Monday.

On Tuesday, the LAPD listed the case as a missing-persons investigation.

Gaspard was a star with World Wrestling Entertainment, making up one half of the tag team Cryme Time with his partner JTG.

Patch will continue to update this developing news story.

- City News Service and Patch Staffer Nicole Charky contributed to this report.

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