Former professional wrestler and wrestling promoter Verne Gagne was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006. Gagne wrestled from 1949 until he retired in 1981.WWE: Hall of Fame: Verne Gagne
In February 2009, the 82-year-old Gagne, who resided at the Friendship Village retirement home in Bloomington, Minnesota, was alleged to have thrown 97-year-old Helmut Gutmann to the ground during an argument. Gutmann died 20 days later after suffering a broken hip and a head injury.TwinCities.com: Report: Wrestling legend Verne Gagne investigated in death of man, 97 (February 19, 2009) Both men suffered from dementia related to Alzheimer's Disease and neither could later recall the incident. The death was declared a homicide. Because Gagne did not have the mental capacity to intentionally cause harm, no charges were filed.FOXNews.com: Wrestling Legend Cleared of Charges in Nursing Home Death (March 13, 2009)
Helmut Gutmann's Death
On January 26, 2009, Gagne reportedly threw 97-year old Helmut Gutmann to the ground. It is unknown what precipitated the incident. Gutmann suffered a broken hip and a head injury. He died 20 days later on February 14, 2009. Gutmann's widow said Gagne lifted him and threw him to the floor violently.USAToday.com: Pro Wrestling Legend Linked to Fatal Takedown (February 19, 2009) Both men were residents at the Friendship Village retirement home, a facility which specializes in treating patients with Alzheimer's disease. The police in Bloomington investigated the incident. According to USA Today, Gagne no longer resides at the Friendship Village.TwinCities.com: Report: Wrestling legend Verne Gagne investigated in death of man, 97 (February 19, 2009) Friendship Village is located in Bloomington, Minnesota.Star Tribune: Famed Wrestler Gagne Linked to Death of Man, 97 (February 19, 2009)
On March 13, 2009, police said they would not press charges. Gagne's was found to have lacked the mental capacity that would be needed to intentionally cause harm.FOXNews.com: Wrestling Legend Cleared of Charges in Nursing Home Death (March 13, 2009)
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Founded the American Wrestling AssociationInternational Wrestling Institute and Museum: Verne Gagne
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Credited with being "partially responsible" with the "Hulkamania" phenomenon in the 1980sWWE: Hall of Fame: Verne Gagne
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Co-starred with Ed Asner in the 1974 film The WrestlerInternational Wrestling Institute and Museum: Verne Gagne
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Son Greg Gagne is also a professional wrestlerInternational Wrestling Institute and Museum: Verne Gagne
