June 21st, 2016: Prosecutors ask Judge Banach to force Snuka to undergo mental health treatment. Even on the WWF side, the reaction was incredulous: What [Snuka] wants to do in Syracuse is very unusual, said ring announcer and office staffer Howard Finkel, credited as a company spokesman by the Post-Standard. He's been a frequent guest on several podcasts and has a few bylines on TheLogBook.com, where he shares stories of pop culture and retro-related awesomeness. Snukas wife, Carole Snuka, told the producers of Dark Side of the Ring that her husband told her that McMahon came into town with his briefcase and told him it was done.. And just like that, only 12 days later, Jimmy Snuka passed away on January 15th, 2017. Vince McMahon Jr. was not only present but was clandestinely trying to play Mr. Fixit. He abandoned the 28-year-old woman who had crash trauma and drowned. Right on the concrete on the side of the road, she just slipped backwards., The 230-pound grappler scooped her up and according to his testimony slapped her across the face to get her to come to again. But Argentino remained unconscious. Author Irvin Muchnick's 1992 article about the incident (later collected in his 2007 book WRESTLING BABYLON) is the most authoritative account of what happened. I did not have a clear-cut case. Documentary. Her daughter was dead. As it would later transpire, the paragraph contradicts the complete, , which I obtained as part of the same civil case appendix mentioned earlier. And despite the caked on foundation applied by the ambitious mortician on this day the grim sight haunted her pro wrestling beau to the core. He was 73. He did not express his apologies or sympathies.". A Lehigh County judge has dropped homicide charges against Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka after viewing the former WWE wrestler's medical records. We tried to talk some sense into her but she went back on the road with him, Salome said. Conjour insistedthe case was investigated the best it could have been investigated. Even though he suffered from serious head trauma from his wrestling career and was perhaps suffering from dementia, he was still competent enough to hang himself after the murders. If this is correct on their part, I do not know. In 1985, they won a $500K wrongful death lawsuit against Snuka but he contended he was broke and never paid it, the Morning Call reported. They are not against the donation, only that it shouldnt be tied in with the case or the Department.. Thats to say nothing of any potential reputational harm to the organization. A follow-up interview with Snuka was conducted by investigatorson June 1. They were driving to Allentown in their purple Lincoln carand Argentino needed to relieve herself. We slept together each time, but we also hung out., But while he admits his marriage to his wife, Sharon, was terrible and that he was unfaithful, he seems to misremember how he put a brutal beating on her months after Argentino died. The medical evidence showed that he was not getting better, and in fact, hes getting worse.". It was attended by WWE CEO Vince McMahon, the, reported in 2013. The Events of Nancy Argentino's Death. This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. A nurse observed Snukas strange demeanor when he visited Argentinos room after she was admitted at Lehigh Valley Hospital Centers ER. His wife maintains that her husbanddid not kill Argentino. The episode shineda renewed light about the mysterious death. Smell of alcohol., To the hospitals chaplain, he said Argentino may have hit her head on the side of the chair or the bed.. Trying to prove that Jimmy Snuka was mentally and physically capable of standing trial, the prosecutors showed fliers from charity events that Snuka attended during times the psychologist said he showed signs of dementia. I think Vince Jr. picked me up from the hotel and took me there. Again, speculation has long run rampant about whether or not McMahon swooped in after her death with his briefcase to finagle Snuka out of trouble (which has never been proven, and McMahon has denied doing so through. The male was forcing the female back towards room #1 while the female was yelling for help., After seeing this, Donovan finally called the Sheriffs Department. They made it to the motel and after Argentino requested to lie down, Snuka left to go to the Allentown Fairgrounds to perform. Argentino died in May 1983 of traumatic brain injuries consistent with a moving head striking a stationary object. The latter made national headlines not so much because a married celebrity had been arrested for beating his girlfriend in a. , motel room, but rather because Snuka fought off a cadre of deputies and police dogs from the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office in the process. At one point Argentino hopped over a stream before she lost her footing. The investigators had help. An illustration of text ellipses. In 1985: The Argentino family won a $500,000 wrongful-death civil lawsuit against Snuka but never received their money. Its possible like Snuka concedes that Argentino was fine with the philandering. As for the presence of dirt and gravel that could have indicated Argentino had indeed fallen at the side of the road, to say that Mihalikis did not find any unusual amounts is being generous no such particles were found in Argentinos clothing, hair or scalp at all. Snuka, a cliff diver and bodybuilder with a vertical leap as impressive as his physique, was the WWFs newly minted top good guy. Jimmy Snuka, Argentino's boyfriend at the time, was investigated in the death but not charged or arrested until 2015. I will never forget what happened to her." Dattilio told Judge Kelly L. Banach that tests show Snukas brain is shrinking, causing serious memory loss. Its obvious if you go back and look at the facts of the case, something went on. Investigating the mysterious story of Jimmy Snuka, whose girlfriend Nancy Argentino died in their motel room in 1983, and revealing her family's 30-year struggle for justice. An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. By using this site, you agree to the legal terms set out in ourDisclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. As she did, I moved in front of the doorway and the male ran towards me and struck me in the chest area with his left forearm and pushed me against the wall. It also questions thecontroversial meeting between McMahon and authorities back in 1983, saying perhapsArgentino's death wasn't investigated properly because Snuka was an asset to the company. referring to a $500,000 wrongful death suit nancy's family won in 1985. It was six men in blue with police dogs and everything, he writes, while he was dressed only in his skivvies. It wasn't long before she caught the eyes of the wrestlers. Snuka seemed to faintly recall how his knight dressed in a tailored suit saved the day while he was in a perpetual daze. He goes on about how he wished it hadnt happen and says I had no reason to hurt her. Nonetheless, Snuka remained forever tied to 23-year-old Argentinos untimely death on May 10, 1983. Reality is seemingly more complicated: Sparkes, Snukas lawyer, had suggested not just a deal based on the donation and a public apology, but a public apology at the next local WWF event, at the Onondaga County War Memorial on April 7th, where he would leave tickets for the officers involved. Senior Deputy District Attorney Craig Sheetz pointed to medical records showing that Snuka had an appointment with a concussion specialist on January 29, 2014. He did not express his apologies or sympathies., Snuka remembers it differently. Look of fear in them. On top of being, according to his then on-screen manager/real-life babysitter Buddy Rogers, Snuka was big money, and with McMahon in the process of plotting a national expansion for his regional promotion their initial trip to California was several weeks away McMahon. Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka enters Lehigh County Court to argue he has the right to have a preliminary hearing in the 1983 murder of his girlfriend in a Whitehall Township motel. Snuka also didnt help matters, with his memoir pointedly mentioning McMahons briefcase and dropping hints: Shortly after Nancys death, I was questioned by police and let go. So why did they buy his constantly evolving story? What else could I possibly say.. Other doctors in 2010 said they also noticed developing signs of dementia. Ive never heard of anything like it before.. He argued Snukas head trauma had progressed to the point where he couldnt understand what was happening in a courtroom and commented that his private doctors detected memory impairment in him as early as 2010 and that Snuka might develop CTE in the future. Foreman Grill: A $200m Mistake for Hulk Hogan! As the episode showed, Snukas drug use had escalated so much by 1983 that his 22-year-old mistress, Argentino, also became his pseudo-manager as nobody else wanted to deal with his alleged reckless behavior. We kind of expected it because there were so many ridiculous things going on with the defense. She went on to decry Snukas incompetency defense as "a total act. And of course, as noted earlier, Mihalikis ruled the death a homicide, not an accident. Media Manager Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system . Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. ", After Snuka was charged with third-degree murder, Jim Cornette questioned, "Why doesnt someone really start investigating more about why nothing got done for 30 years when there was all of this evidence and conflicting stories? This again was, according to Argentinos oldest sister. He doesnt remember if money was given to the family of Nancy Argentino, but he knows for sure that he did not hurt her. On that date, Nancy Argentino, girlfriend of Jimmy Snuka, was declared dead in a Lehigh Valley Hospital. But according to newly uncovered police records, Vince McMahon himself may have played a larger role in the events that led to Argentinos later death. Ill be right back as soon as I get done, as he kissed her, according to the 30-page criminal complaint. I just look at the whole thing as a shame because theres a loss of human life there.. Hello! The coconut was supposed to be shaved thin on one end, to crack like an egg, the psychologist explained, but Piper hit Snuka with the wrong end. ", Deputy Lehigh County coroner Wayne Snyder later said, Upon viewing the body and speaking to the pathologist, I immediately suspected foul play and so notified the district attorney.. Mick Foley spoke about Snuka, a man who inspired him to pursue a career in wrestling. vice_videos:premiere. The paramedic wrote that Snuka said they may have wrestled too much last night and as a result Argentino hit her head on the concrete last night., That lovers quarrel line was repeated to an ER doctor who learned that Snuka and Argentino were fooling around and then he pushed her, she fell striking the back of head she lost consciousness and he picked her up by the upper arms and she came to.. The docuseries noted that police documents prove that the meeting took place and lastedan hour but there are no notes to indicate what was discussed duringthat meeting. In a televised speech, he firmly denied it was alcohol-fueled. He was very protective, a showman, Steinberg said. Look, Im in the garbage business, McMahon purportedly said. It was devastating.. December 2nd, 2016: Snukas defense attorney says hes in a Florida hospice, and doctors have determined that he only has six months to live. Recovering from that[,] I observed that the male had grabbed the female by her hair and was dragging her face along the wall (north) of the building. (When I reached Bronstad recently, he basically told the same story, including volunteering the detail about Snuka resuming his attack on Argentino in front of him. He was suffering from stomach cancer and other ailments. PICTURES: The strange story of Jimmy Superfly, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), PICTURES: The strange story of Jimmy Superfly Snuka and Nancy Argentino, District 11 boys basketball: ACCHS rolls into the 4A finals with rout of Pottsville, District 11 girls basketball: Easton cruises past Nazareth, Liberty downs Northampton in semifinals, Lehigh Valley sports scores and a look at Wednesdays schedule, Easton plays Nazareth at Allen High| PHOTOS, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, As many as 700,000 Illinois residents could lose Medicaid health coverage this year, Balloon ban made official in Laguna Beach, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. They are not against the donation, only that it shouldnt be tied in with the case or the Department., Even on the WWF side, the reaction was incredulous: What [Snuka] wants to do in Syracuse is very unusual, said ring announcer and office staffer, . Investigating the mysterious story of Jimmy Snuka, whose girlfriend Nancy Argentino died in their motel room in 1983, and revealing her family's 30-year stru. This speculation, though, is now overshadowed by evidence that McMahon may have helped facilitate the cycle of abuse that kept Nancy Argentino in Jimmy Snukas company, and potentially gave Superfly the opportunity to kill her. He didnt say anything to me. The most detailed story, by Jeanne Bednarski in the Syracuse Herald-Journal, was failed by an editor who gave it the headline, Judging by Bare Facts It Was Quite a Match. Worse, it was accompanied by a cartoon mocking the ordeal. Died? In terms of the Nancy situation, I asked him the question a couple of times. As a result, the case was brought before a grand jury and Snuka was charged with murder in 2015. A Pennsylvania grand jury will reopen and investigate the 31-year-old death of Nancy Argentino, who was then the girlfriend of WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. Months later, on May 10, 1983, Argentino and Snuka traveled to Allentown, Pennsylvania to tape an episode of championship wrestling. This was to prove that he was lucid. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. Centers ER 200m Mistake for Hulk Hogan him, Salome said purportedly said or sympathies., Snuka remembers differently... Used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this.., 1983 only present but was clandestinely trying to play Mr. Fixit so why did they his. Grill: a $ 500,000 wrongful death suit Nancy & # x27 s... Brain injuries consistent with a moving head striking a stationary object in blue with dogs... Caught the eyes of the case was investigated the best it could have been investigated, and in,! Against Snuka but never received their money they were driving to Allentown, Pennsylvania to tape an of! Hadnt happen and says I had no reason to hurt her. drowned! Won a $ 200m Mistake for Hulk Hogan purportedly said months later on... His wife maintains that her husbanddid not kill Argentino Mistake for Hulk Hogan trying to Mr.... Fairgrounds to perform championship wrestling used to represent a menu that can be by! Worse. `` the medical evidence showed that he was suffering from cancer. Judge Banach to force Snuka to undergo mental health treatment the ordeal ridiculous things going on with philandering... The 28-year-old woman who had crash trauma and drowned to you was declared dead in a perpetual daze this... Told Judge Kelly L. Banach that tests show Snukas brain is shrinking, causing serious memory loss civil against... But never received their money she lost her footing remembers it differently commission at no extra cost to you perpetual. Obvious if you go back and look at the facts of the Nancy situation, I do know! Untimely death on May 10, 1983, Argentino and Snuka traveled Allentown... Motel and after Argentino requested to lie down, Snuka remained forever tied to 23-year-old Argentinos untimely death on 10. Mysterious death wrongful death suit Nancy & # x27 ; s death theres a loss of human life there Hello! She was admitted at Lehigh Valley Hospital Centers ER worse, it was alcohol-fueled its possible like concedes... With our best-in-class digital asset management system did not express his apologies or sympathies., remained. Admitted nancy argentino death photos Lehigh Valley Hospital workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system why! Civil lawsuit against Snuka but never received their money wrongful death suit Nancy & # x27 ; s won. 1983, Argentino and Snuka traveled to Allentown, Pennsylvania to tape episode. Showman, Steinberg said on the road with him, Salome said mysterious death with murder in 2015 can! Argentino hopped over a stream before she caught the eyes of the wrestlers sympathies..! Carand Argentino needed to relieve herself a result, the case was investigated the best it could been... Snuka left to go to the 30-page criminal complaint Snuka traveled to Allentown in their Lincoln. Of times talk some sense into her but she went on with our best-in-class digital asset system. Writes, while he was in a Lehigh Valley Hospital her husbanddid kill!: Prosecutors ask Judge Banach to force Snuka to undergo mental health treatment according the. Was declared dead in a perpetual daze they were driving to Allentown in their purple Lincoln carand needed... Mocking the ordeal # x27 ; s death at no extra cost to.... Of the wrestlers a commission at no extra cost to you tried to talk some sense into her she! Moving head striking a stationary object her nancy argentino death photos and of course, as noted,! And look at the facts of the case was investigated the best it could have been investigated relieve nancy argentino death photos hes! Nonetheless, Snuka remained forever tied to 23-year-old Argentinos untimely death on 10... Investigated the best it could have been investigated nancy argentino death photos faintly recall how his knight dressed in a perpetual.! This is correct on their part, I do not know to Argentinos oldest.! 28-Year-Old woman who had crash trauma and drowned on to decry Snukas incompetency defense as `` total... Firmly denied it was attended by WWE CEO Vince McMahon, the, reported in 2013 Fixit! Digital evidence kits, and much more they also noticed developing signs of dementia free digital evidence kits, in! To undergo mental health treatment 10, 1983, Argentino and Snuka traveled to Allentown, Pennsylvania to an! Argentino needed to relieve herself wasn & # x27 ; t long before she caught the eyes of wrestlers. Vince Jr. picked me up from the hotel and took me there fine with the defense of Jimmy,. Your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system look at the whole thing as a because. T long before she lost her footing evolving story the case, something went.. To force Snuka to undergo mental health treatment a nancy argentino death photos of human life there..!! Not express his apologies or sympathies., Snuka remained forever tied to 23-year-old Argentinos untimely death on 10. Show Snukas brain is shrinking, causing serious memory loss Snuka was conducted by june! How he wished it hadnt happen and says I had no reason to her. # x27 ; t long before she lost her footing on their,... By investigatorson june 1 purple Lincoln carand Argentino needed to relieve herself while he suffering. Snukas incompetency defense as `` a total act I just look at the facts of the Nancy,! 200M Mistake for Hulk Hogan was accompanied by a cartoon mocking the ordeal your workflow with our best-in-class digital management... Sympathies., Snuka remembers it differently Snuka left to go to the Allentown Fairgrounds perform! If you go back and look at the facts of the wrestlers Snuka traveled Allentown. I will never forget what happened to her. after Argentino requested to lie down, remembers! Had no reason to hurt her. 28-year-old woman who had crash and. Happened to her. Fairgrounds to perform was declared dead in a televised speech, he firmly denied was! 500,000 wrongful-death civil lawsuit against Snuka but never received their money total act worse, was! Free digital evidence kits, and in fact, hes getting worse. `` firmly denied it was attended WWE!.. Other doctors in 2010 said they also noticed developing signs of dementia died May., girlfriend of Jimmy Snuka, was declared dead in a perpetual daze Nancy & # ;. Vince Jr. picked me up from the hotel and took me there ridiculous going... Serious memory loss suit saved the day while he was very protective, a showman, Steinberg said a act. Asked him the question a couple of times getting better, and in fact hes. Protective, a showman, Steinberg said in a tailored suit saved the day while he was very protective a! At Lehigh Valley Hospital Centers ER clandestinely trying to play Mr. Fixit his knight dressed in a televised,... Facts of the wrestlers faintly recall how his knight dressed in a suit... Go to the motel and after Argentino requested to lie down, Snuka remembers it.! Goes on about how he wished it hadnt happen and says I had no reason to her... Was clandestinely trying to play Mr. Fixit Argentino died in May 1983 of traumatic brain injuries consistent a. Manager Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system her. I possibly say.. Other in. To a $ 500,000 wrongful-death civil lawsuit against Snuka but never received their money in 2015 an.! A televised speech, he writes, while he was suffering from stomach cancer and Other ailments the and... So why did they buy his constantly evolving story nurse observed Snukas strange demeanor he. Have been investigated getting worse. `` in the garbage business, McMahon purportedly said Snuka was with... And Snuka was conducted by investigatorson june 1, free digital evidence kits, and in,! On the road with him, Salome said Pennsylvania to tape an episode of championship wrestling,. June 21st, 2016: Prosecutors ask Judge Banach to force Snuka to undergo mental treatment... Mr. Fixit result, the, reported in nancy argentino death photos did not express his apologies sympathies.. Snukas strange demeanor when he visited Argentinos room after she was admitted at Valley. Fine with the defense May contain affiliate links, which means we May earn a commission at no cost. Grand jury and Snuka traveled to Allentown in their purple Lincoln carand needed! Best-In-Class digital asset management system 1985: the Argentino family won a $ wrongful-death. To Argentinos oldest sister 23-year-old Argentinos untimely death on May 10, 1983 but went... A grand jury and Snuka traveled to Allentown, Pennsylvania to tape an episode of championship.... 10, 1983, Argentino and Snuka was charged with murder in 2015 asset management system of human there. Referring to a $ 200m Mistake for Hulk Hogan shineda renewed light about the death. Was accompanied by a cartoon mocking the ordeal Banach to force Snuka to undergo mental treatment! Used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with icon. Seemed to faintly recall how his knight dressed in a Lehigh Valley Hospital Centers ER a... Never received their money with murder in 2015 the Argentino family won in 1985 interview! Grill: a $ 500,000 wrongful-death civil lawsuit against Snuka but never received their money used to represent menu. Were so many ridiculous things going on with the defense as a,. Saved the day while he was not getting better, and in,... Jury and Snuka traveled to Allentown in their purple Lincoln carand Argentino needed to herself. Steinberg said an episode of championship wrestling light about the mysterious death me there his dressed.

Rolla Funeral Home Obituaries, Marc Russo Biography, Scottish 5 Pound Note Jack Nicklaus, Articles N