Investigators in Florida have determined wrestling legend Hulk Hogan died of natural causes last year.
The WWE icon, real name Terry Gene Bollea, was 71 years old when he passed on July 24, 2025.
The Clearwater, Florida police department closed their investigation into his death Friday, confirming that an autopsy closed the case as ‘an attended natural death.’
A 72-page report announced that Hogan’s death is not seen as suspicious and no foul play is suspected.
‘Following an exhaustive review of the statements, medical records, surveillance footage from within the residence, and a visual inspection of Mr. Bollea’s body, there has been no evidence to indicate the death of Terry Bollea was anything other than natural,’ investigators wrote.
‘Through the course of the investigation, there has been no evidence to indicate any criminal wrongdoing related to his death.’
Investigators spoke to several witnesses – including Hogan’s occupational therapist – and reviewed various recordings from the scene.
It was initially ruled that he had suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, before passing away at a local hospital.
Investigators in Florida have determined wrestling legend Hulk Hogan died of natural causes last year
A therapist has claimed that the late wrestler’s phrenic nerve has been ‘severed’ in surgery
His occupational therapist was said to have been present at the wrestling icon’s Florida home when he stopped breathing and raised concerns over Hogan’s condition.
Law enforcement sources reportedly told TMZ that the therapist claimed to officers responding to the 911 call at Hogan’s home that the late wrestler was the victim of medical malpractice.
The therapist, Justin McCamey, allegedly told officers that during a recent medical procedure the surgeon ‘severed’ Hogan’s phrenic nerve.
The phrenic nerve is crucial for a person’s breathing, controlling the diaphragm – the muscle that supports inhalation and exhalation. Phrenic nerve damage can lead to diaphragm paralysis, causing difficulty breathing.
However, in a followup interview filmed by police, the occupational therapist clarified that he’s ‘not a neurosurgeon’ and just assumed it was difficult to sever a phrenic nerve and was making assumptions off of what he’d heard.
He also noted that he had only visited Hogan twice and only been employed by him for two weeks when he passed.
Hogan’s family filed a petition in October to extend the statue of limitations for an investigation into medical malpractice.
Clearwater Police thanked the wrestling legend’s family and their legal team for cooperating.
Seen with his wife Sky Hogan on the beach in an Instagram snap
. The wrestling legend died on July 24, aged 71. He had a history of leukemia CLL, which is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes. Seen in 2009
‘Their willingness to allow our investigators access to very personal information, at a time when they were grieving and struggling, was extremely helpful,’ they said in a statement.
‘We would not have had the legal justification to obtain much of the information without their cooperation.’
Following Hogan’s death, the chilling audio of the 911 call revealed the moment emergency services raced to his home.
911 operators could be heard dispatching paramedics to the scene as they noted the matter pertained to a cardiac arrest in the disturbing audio of the call, which was obtained by TMZ shortly after the devastating news of his passing broke.
A ‘slew of police cars and EMTs were parked outside Hogan’s home’ where the wrestling legend was reportedly stretchered out and placed in an ambulance, according to the outlet.
In a video shared to social media, responders were caught desperately trying to save Hogan’s life as they transported him out of his home. They appeared to be administering CPR as they carried him to the ambulance.
Clearwater Police Major Nate Burnside explained at a press conference that Hogan was ‘experiencing a serious medical-related issue’ when they arrived.
Officials reportedly responded to the call to emergency services at 9:51am. Hogan was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue personnel before being taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11.17am.
Hogan had two children, including daughter Brooke (pictured left)
The shock death came just weeks after his wife Sky Daily denied rumors he was on his deathbed in a coma – and claimed his heart was ‘strong’ after he underwent a routine neck surgery.
A month before his death, however, a source revealed to DailyMail.com that Hogan – who was embroiled in a shocking family feud with his ex-wife Linda and estranged daughter Brooke earlier this year – was trying to work his way back to ‘100 percent’ after neck and back operations. It is unclear which surgery the therapist was referring to.
‘Hulk has a body ravaged by wrestling, his body is the body of a 140-year-old man with all the bumps and bruises through the years, and his recent neck and back surgeries have been harder to come back from,’ a source close to Hogan said.
His wife Sky had denied rumors he was on his deathbed in a coma – and claimed his heart was ‘strong’ after he underwent a routine neck surgery.
Hogan had also previously opened up about undergoing ’25 surgeries in the past decade.’
Hogan is survived by his third wife Daily, who he wed in 2023, children Brooke and Nick, who he shared with first wife Linda Claridge, and two grandchildren.
In the 1980s, Hogan – known for his signature mustache and headscarf – was the driving force behind WWE’s rise from a regional promotion around New York to an international brand.
Hogan kickstarted ‘Hulkamania’ after defeating the Iron Sheik for the World Heavyweight Championship in 1984.
From left: Hulk Hogan, his daughter Brooke Hogan, wife Linda Hogan and son Nick Hogan. The family is seen attending the premiere of War Of The Worlds at the Ziegfeld Theatre on June 23, 2005, in New York
Hogan hinted in 2024 that there would be a future spot for him in the Trump administration
Hogan is seen with his ex wife, Linda, early in their marriage, while boating on the Gulf Coast
He won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
Hogan was the main draw for the first WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and even company chairman Vince McMahon.
Hogan was also a celebrity outside the wrestling world, appearing in numerous movies and television shows, including a reality show about his life on VH1, Hogan Knows Best.
Hogan´s public persona transcended the ring, making him a household name. He appeared in numerous movies – including the third Rocky film in 1982, where he played wrestler Thunderlips, who took on Stallone’s protagonist.
Hogan later claimed the role had got him fired from the WWF – saying: ‘Back then, ’78, ’79, if you were a wrestler, you didn’t do TV. You didn’t go do a movie.’
The star reportedly put three men in the hospital while filming his fight scene.
The wrestling icon’s great rival Ric Flair sounded shocked when reached by Daily Mail on Thursday, before describing him as an ‘incredible athlete, talent, friend and father’ on social media.
President Donald Trump was also among those who paid tribute, writing on Truth Social: ‘We lost a great friend today, the “Hulkster.”‘
‘Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.’
‘He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive,’ Trump wrote, praising his ‘absolutely electric speech’ from the Republican 2024 National Convention.
