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Wrestling Legend Verne Gagne Investigated In Death Of Man, 97

Posted: Feb 19th 2009 By: CMBurnham

Minnesota wrestling legend Verne Gagne is under investigation in the death of a fellow resident at a Bloomington care facility, a local television station is reporting.

Police said Gagne, 82, threw his roommate, Helmut R. Gutmann, 97, to the floor on Jan. 26, breaking his leg and injuring his head, according to KMSP-TV. Gutmann was treated for his injuries, but was later rehospitalized, the station said. He died Saturday.

The men lived at Friendship Village, a care facility for people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Both had Alzheimer's-related dementia, KMSP-TV said.

Police are investigating.

Gagne, a native of Robbinsdale, was a longtime presence in wrestling circles.

In 1960, he formed the American Wrestling Association with a stable that eventually included Hulk Hogan and Jesse "The Body" Ventura. The association toured civic centers and dominated televised wrestling in the 1960s and '70s.

Tags: Verne Gagne, AWA