The widow of the great WWE Shad Gaspard is suing the city of Los Angeles for the death of the fighter who drowned in the ocean in Venice Beach in May.
Gaspard, 39, was caught in a dangerous tide while swimming with his 10-year-old son Aryeh. Lifeguards were able to save the boy, but not his father from 1.90 m.
This week, the fighter’s wife, Siliana Gaspard, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of LA – in addition to LA County and the state of California – alleging ‘dangerous conditions’ in Venice Beach and ‘negligence’.
She says there was not enough evidence to alert Gaspard and his son – called the AG in the process – of the ‘danger or risk’ of swimming there.
In the final moment of WWE star Shad Gaspard, he threw his 10-year-old son, Aryeh, to a lifeguard to be rescued after the two were dragged to the sea in a current in Venice Beach in May.
DailyMail.com may reveal that Gaspard’s widow, Siliana Gaspard, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles. Siliana was seen leaving Venice Beach being comforted by close friends after a tragic incident
She claims that lifeguards were slow to react, were poorly trained, lacked staff and lacked adequate equipment.
When lifeguards ‘saw Shad and AG fighting in the water’, says Siliana in court documents filed with the LA Superior Court, they ‘did nothing for an irrational and negligent period of time’.
In a tribute post, Siliana described Shad as a “real life superhero” and “a brilliant force of nature, which brought joy to many”
Aspiring rescuers ‘finally entered the water, but without the proper equipment for their tasks of helping people in the water like Shad Gaspard and AG’
The lifeguards ‘just chose to help AG and left Shad Gaspard in the water to die’.
According to a police report at the time of the tragedy, ‘When last seen by the lifeguard, a wave fell on him (Gaspard) and he was dragged into the sea.’ His lifeless body was later found near the coast.
In her lawsuit, Siliana Gaspard also claims that on that fateful day, May 17, the lifeguard posts on Venice Beach were ‘negligently insufficient compared to what they normally are’.
And she claims in court documents that the defendants – LA city and county and the state – “were negligent in the absence of adequate training and supervision” and “were negligent in hiring, retaining, training and supervising” their lifeguards and others employees.
“The defendants’ activities, or lack thereof,” he adds, “increased the degree of dangerousness of the state of the scene, causing the death of Shad Gaspard.”
Siliana is seeking unspecified financial damages and burial costs. A hearing was scheduled for June 6, 2021 at the LA Superior Court.
She claims ‘dangerous conditions’ in Venice Beach and ‘negligence’. She says there were not enough signs to alert Gaspard and his son Aryeh of the ‘danger or risk’ of swimming there ‘
Gaspard – who was originally known in the WWF – now WWE – as Da Beast on the tag team Cryme Tyme with partner JTG – left professional wrestling 10 years ago to start an acting career on TV and in the cinema. He participated in Get Hard 2015 with Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart.
In a tribute to Gaspard, ex-fighter who became movie star Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson said: ‘Shad drowned in the ocean, but not before instructing lifeguards to save his son first. This is a father’s love. ‘
They added: ‘Their main concern was the safety of their son. He did everything he could to protect his son.
At the time of drowning, Lifeguard Services told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview that the boy was about 25-35 yards away when the lifeguard rescued him.
But when the lifeguard returned to rescue Shad, the current pulled him another 50-65 yards, leaving him almost 100 yards off the coast.
“It all happened in just a moment,” they said.
Gaspard – who was originally known in the WWF – now WWE – as Da Beast on the tag team Cryme Tyme with partner JTG – abandoned professional wrestling 10 years ago to start an acting career on TV and in the cinema. Siliana is seeking unspecified financial damages and burial costs
Siliana remained on the beach while the search continued for Shad and was seen looking out at the ocean while the coast guard conducted a search
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s office said Gaspard was found on the surfline at 2600 Ocean Walk – a mile north of where he drowned.
His body was identified and transported to the LA County coroner’s office.
While Shad remained missing, Siliana issued an Instagram statement thanking the authorities for their efforts, while waiting for her husband’s safe return.
“We would like to express our gratitude to the first responders who rescued Aryeh and the lifeguards, coast guard, divers, firefighters and police departments for their continued efforts to help find our beloved Shad,” the statement said.
‘Shad is a fighter, a warrior and a magical soul. We are waiting and praying for your safe return. As a family, we thank you all for your concern and good wishes. Keep sending your positivity and prayers to our beloved Shad. ‘