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Death of 97-year-old man linked to ex-wrestler

Posted: Feb 27th 2009 By: mikeiles

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The death of a 97-year-old man who was reportedly pushed by former pro wrestling star Verne Gagne has been called a homicide.

The coroner's report says Helmut Gutmann died of complications from a broken hip after he was pushed Jan. 26 at a nursing home in Bloomington.

While Wednesday's news release does not mention Gagne by name, Gutmann's wife and daughter have said the 83-year-old Gagne apparently threw Gutmann to the floor. At the time, both men suffered from dementia. Gutmann also had pulmonary disease.

Bloomington police are investigating.

Gagne wrestled at the University of Minnesota. He turned to pro wrestling in 1950 and wrestled into the early 1980s.

Tags: Verne Gagne