Wrestling Legend Kills Man
Posted: Feb 19th 2009 By: mikeiles
Minnesota wrestling legend Verne Gagne has been linked to the death of a 97-year-old man, according to our partners at MinnPost.com.
Both Gagne, 82, and alleged victim Helmut R. Gutmann suffered from Alzheimer's and dementia and resided at Friendship Village, a specialized facility for those with the disease, in Bloomington.
On Jan. 26, Gagne threw Gutmann to the floor resulting in his death 20 days later, according to MinnPost. She also said her husband and Gagne were involved in another incident once before.
Gutmann's wife, Betty, told the news website Gutmann suffered a broken hip and died Feb. 14 while in hospice care. Sources told MinnPost Gagne was involved in three separate incidents while at Friendship Village and had a history of violent outbursts.
Bloomington Police told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS they couldn't comment regarding those involved due to privacy laws, however they did confirm they were investigating an incident at Friendship Village.
Gagne, born in Corcoran, is best known for his charitable contributions and time as a pro-wrestler great from 1949 to 1981--where he holds the record for the most combined days as being an American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight champion.
He also had a brief stint with the NFL when he was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1947, but never actually played for the team.
Gutmann was an Army veteran who also worked for 40 years as a research scientist at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis. He also played violin with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra.
A memorial service is planned at the Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, which Gutmann and his wife co-founded, in Bloomington.
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