Former WWE wrestler died from 'mixed drug intoxication'

Former professional wrestler Lance McNaught died from accidentally ingesting multiple drugs, but also had a weakened heart, according to the medical examiner in San Antonio, Texas.

McNaught, 29, who fought under the name Lance Cade, died Aug. 13. He worked for several wrestling entertainment companies, including World Wrestling Entertainment from 2003 to 2008.

Cardiomyopathy, an enlarged or weakened heart, has been linked to the use of anabolic steroids, but there was no confirmation that McNaught’s death was linked to steroid use.

WWE and its former CEO, Linda McMahon, who is running for the U.S. Senate, have been criticized for allegedly condoning the use of steroids, which have been illegal since 1991. McMahon, who resigned as CEO to run for the Senate, has said the company never encouraged its use and instituted a drug-testing policy in 2006.

McMahon, a Republican, is running for U.S. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd’s seat against Democratic Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.

Blumenthal criticized WWE’s health and wellness policies at Tuesday night’s debate, saying seven wrestlers had died since she had begun her campaign.

A staffer of the Bexar County, Texas, Medical Examiner’s Office said of McNaught’s death: “The cause was ruled mixed drug intoxication, complicating a cardiomyopathy.” She said the death was accidental.

Another former wrestler, Gertrude Hurd-Nash, who wrestled under the name Luna Vachon, also died of “multi-drug toxicity,” according to Bill Pellan, director of investigations for the District 6 Medical Examiner’s Office, based in Largo, Fla.

Hurd-Nash, 48, had lived in Port Richey, Fla., and had performed for WWE between 1993 and 2000. Her Aug. 27 death also was ruled accidental.

WWE released McNaught in 2008, then rehired him in September 2009, according to a statement on its website. He was sent to drug rehabilitation at his request, but was released a second time in April 2010.

Robert Zimmerman, spokesman for WWE, said the company had decided not to use the story line that included McNaught.

Zimmerman issued a statement saying, “WWE goes to great lengths to help our former talent who may have substance abuse problems, offering complete drug rehabilitation at no cost to them. … Ultimately however, stars in any form of entertainment should be held personally responsible for their own actions.”

Zimmerman said the company has obtained e-mails written by McNaught to another wrestler, saying he had ordered two types of steroids in March 2010 and would fail a WWE drug test.

“A lot of athletes have enlarged hearts,” Zimmerman said of McNaught’s death. “The bottom line is, his usage speaks for itself.”

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 Former WWE wrestler died from 'mixed drug intoxication'- The New Haven Register - Serving New Haven, Connecticut