Chris Kanyon, Ex-WWE Wrestler, Dead in Apparent Suicide

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Chris Kanyon (MySpace)

NEW YORK (CBS) Chris Kanyon, one of the first openly gay pro wrestlers, was found dead in his Queens, N.Y. apartment Friday night after he apparently committed suicide.

PICTURES: Chris Kanyon's Tragic Death

The former WWE wrestler, whose real name is Chris Klucsaritis, was found dead in his Sunnyside, Queens apartment with scores of pills near his body, reported the New York Daily News.

An official cause of death has not yet been determined.

The WWE issued a statement on its website, saying, "World Wrestling Entertainment would like to express its deepest condolences to Christopher Klucsaritis' family and friends on his tragic passing." Klucsaritis was under contract with the WWE from 2001 to 2004 when he retired, although he still occasionally did battle in the ring.

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PICTURES: Chris Kanyon's Tragic Death

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by DonnaNorthrup February 28, 2012 8:38 PM EST: The story says Chris had a contract with the WWE from 2001-2004, when he retired. ***? He came out of the closet and lost his contract. He didn't retire. He was forced out becuase HE WAS GAY! These people are a bunch of idiots.; Reply to this comment


by diamonddiva1954 April 6, 2010 2:07 PM EDT: My heart breaks, both over Chris' death & the hatred spewed out from some of those who've posted on here. His sexuality had NOTHING to do with his wrestling career-who cares who anyone sleeps with/loves as long as its between consenting adults? I've been watching "'rasslin'" since the '50's, & not once did I ever consider what they did in their personal lives. They did their jobs-they entertained us & showed some incredible moves. Sadly, too many of these great men(and women-remember Miss Elizabeth?) die too young & usually with the help of drugs, legal or otherwise. Instead of spewing venom, how about we treasure them while they're here?; Reply to this comment


by IndianaGuy April 6, 2010 10:45 AM EDT: Don't agree with the whole "gay is ok" line. But I am sadded that this fellow found himself at a point where he felt he didn't have any other options.; Reply to this comment


by Dgunner April 6, 2010 6:34 AM EDT: Gay or not the use of steroids will and does change your outlookon life and your ability yo cope with and within society. After thier fifteen minutes is up many are left with chronic impact injuries and thier body reversing its horomone process. My brother-in-law was a wrestler with a small company in the 80s. He said many times most of these people will never see fifty.He didn't have to juice he is BFI { bif f----in indian.Gay or not. When a person decides to end thier life it is a decision mostly made either in the past thirty days or thirty minutes it isn't something you fight. Either you accomplish or you don't.; Reply to this comment