Five of the six children of renowned fighter Fritz Von Erich died devastating deaths, including the patriarch
The surname Von Erich is well known in the wrestling business in the United States. Coming from Texas, the family’s original surname is Adkisson, but due to their profession they adopted Von Erich. Over the years, this intriguing clan has unleashed a series of myths, as several members of the family died in devastating ways.
Over the years, the term ‘Von Erich curse’ gained prominence and came to refer to a series of events that stunned the family. So popular in the USA, the family is now the inspiration for the film ‘The Iron Claw’, which will be released in the United States in December.
The deaths
Jack Barton Adkisson, later known as Fritz Von Erich, was born on August 16, 1929, in Texas and was the first member of the family to enter the wrestling industry, becoming a reference in the area. Throughout his life, the fighter built fame and prestige, but on September 10, 1997, he passed away from cancer, according to Texas Monthly.
According to the website Oxygen, with information from the documentary ‘Dark Side of the Ring’, Jack Von Erich was Fritz’s first son, who died at the age of six, after accidentally running into an exposed wire and drowning in a puddle, in 1959. The third heir, David, followed in his father’s footsteps and became one of the most acclaimed fighters in Texas.
However, shortly after losing his newborn son, David was shaken by the situation and separated. The boy died in 1984, from acute enteritis, according to the autopsy, however, rumors even suggested that he had suffered an overdose of medication.
“The Japanese coroner ended up calling it acute enteritis, an intestinal disease that may or may not have triggered a heart attack, depending on who you listen to,” details David Shoemaker in the work ‘The Squared Circle: Life, Death, And Professional Wrestling’.
Kerry, Fritz’s fourth son, without a shadow of a doubt, became the greatest fighter in this clan. Known to everyone, he won the NWA world heavyweight title by Ric Flair at the David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions, details the work ‘Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks’.
However, fame would not be the most important thing for Kerry and after getting divorced, he committed suicide by shooting himself in the heart, explains Bret Hart in the biography ‘Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling’.
“He couldn’t handle the disappointment this would mean for his fans, or his family, or whatever,” wrote David Shoemaker. “When they held his memorial service, his name was still on the marquee outside the venue where he was scheduled to wrestle that weekend. His opponent, in perfect tragicomic wrestling irony, was the Angel of Death.”
Known as the Inspired Warrior, Mike replaced his late brother, David, in the Von Erichs’ feud with The Fabulous Freebirds. According to the Heroes of World Class plot, Mike had the dream of working in the film industry, but was induced to follow in his family’s footsteps.
Around 1985 he had to have surgery, and because of this, he retired at a young age. On April 12, 1987, the boy was found dead after suffering an overdose of tranquilizers, according to the UPI.
In 1988, before his death, Kerry, in an interview with D Magazine, reflected on David’s unhappiness.
“I don’t think Mike was ever sure he felt good enough to take on the role of Von Erich,” he said. “I mean, he was agitated inside because he wasn’t as fast or as strong as the rest of us. And then [da síndrome] From the toxic shock, when he started to lose his balance on the top ropes, or lose a grip, or something like that, he thought he had lost part of himself, you know what I mean?”
Like his other brothers, Chris committed suicide by shooting himself in the head in 1991, a few days before his 22nd birthday. The cause is a mystery, but it is believed that Chris was frustrated at not being successful in the field of fighting. free.
Living heirs
Kevin is the second oldest and last surviving son of Fritz Von Erich and currently takes care of the family business. Ross and Marshall are Kevin’s sons, who were trained by their father. Lacey is Kerry’s daughter, and became TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion, but retired in 2010.
*Article originally published in Adventures in History.
Source: sportbuzz
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
