Inside the Ongoing Investigation Into Hulk Hogan’s Death: Phrenic Nerve Allegations, Autopsy and More
The investigation into the death of legendary pro wrestler Hulk Hogan remains open as questions about what really happened continue to be raised.
Hogan died on July 24 after suffering cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. He was 71 years old.
In the time since, some of those closest to Hogan — including his daughter, Brooke Hogan — have vocally questioned the circumstances of his death.
For a full breakdown of what we know about the investigation into Hulk’s death, and what we still need to find out, keep reading.
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What Was Hulk Hogan’s Cause of Death?
Hulk died from acute myocardial infarction, most commonly known as a heart attack, according to documents obtained by Us Weekly.
Clearwater Fire Department and Clearwater Police Department personnel responded to a medical call at 9:51 a.m. on July 24. Hulk was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue crews before being taken by Sunstar to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Did Hulk Hogan Have Cancer Before His Death?
According to a report by the coroner’s office, Hulk had a history of leukemia CLL, a type of cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes.
However, his daughter, Brooke, 37, has called that into question, saying she was unaware of any cancer diagnosis.
“That’s what has me puzzled because they’re saying, ‘Oh, he had leukemia,’” Brooke said August 5 on the Bubba The Love Sponge radio show. “And I’m like, ‘I saw his blood work every time [he had a past surgery].’”
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Brooke was a constant presence at her father’s doctor’s appointments and surgeries before their relationship became estranged a couple of years before he died.
“One doctor, I quote, said, ‘His blood is like a 25-year-old,’” Brooke recalled.
The daughter of the WWE Hall of Famer said her family has no history of cancer and argued the leukemia revelation after Hulk’s death was “weird.”
Has Hulk Hogan’s Body Been Cremated Yet?
Hulk wished to have his body cremated after his death, but that hasn’t happened yet — according to his widow, Sky Daily.
Daily told TMZ Sports on Thursday, August 21, that the cremation process has not occurred. She also said an autopsy has been performed, but declined to reveal its results.
The news came hours after Brooke raised red flags about the status of her father’s body.
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“I do not have any information on if or when he is being cremated,” she wrote via her Instagram Story on Wednesday, August 20. “Could have been right after he died, could be tomorrow. I do not know.”
Brooke explained she and her brother, Nick Hogan, have been in touch about how to handle things moving forward.
“I have been told by my brother there will be an autopsy,” Brooke continued. “I do not know who will be performing the autopsy. Any information I receive from an autopsy — if one happens — whether I believe it or not, I will be keeping private out of respect for my father.”
What Has Brooke Hogan Allegedly Heard From Authorities About Hulk’s Death?
Brooke has allegedly received messages from some of the first responders who were on the scene the day her father died, urging her to dig into his death.
Brooke wrote via her Instagram Story on August 20, “FACT: I’ve 100% gotten legit calls from professionals — from police officials to nurses that were supposedly with my dad on the day of his death telling ME I need to see body cam footage and I need to get a hold of the 911 tapes because they supposedly contain information that could potentially shed enough light to change the narrative we/I/everyone’s been hearing.”
She continued, “Those same professionals feel so passionately about what they witnessed, they have continued to contact me and push me to find specific answers to this very day. They are quite literally putting their careers at risk because they feel so compelled to do the right thing.”
Brooke provided an update on August 21, saying she was unaware if the officials who contacted her had voiced their concerns with the medical examiner’s office.
“If they did, I do not know why it wasn’t taken into consideration,” she wrote via her Instagram Story. “All body cam footage and 911 dispatch calls are not available via the freedom of information act. It’s all on lockdown. I do not know why.”
Did Hulk Hogan Have Botched Surgery Before His Death?
On the day of his death, an occupational therapist who was at Hulk’s home in Clearwater told authorities that Hulk’s phrenic nerve was “severed” during a recent surgery, according to TMZ Sports.
The phrenic nerve allows the diaphragm to contract and expand, playing a key role in one’s breathing.
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Hulk simply stopped breathing on the day of his death, which led to Daily calling 911.
Daily confirmed the potential case of medical malpractice, telling TMZ Sports on August 21 that Hulk’s phrenic nerve had been “compromised” in the surgery.
Is the Investigation Into Hulk Hogan’s Death Still Open?
Yes, the case remains open.
"We have been in communication with family members — including [Hulk’s son], Nick, and daughter, Brooke,” the Clearwater Police Department said on August 21 in a statement to TMZ Sports. “The unique nature of this case has required us to interview multiple witnesses and seek medical records from a variety of providers, and our detectives continue to do that. All of this takes time."
The statement concluded, "The Hogan family has been appreciative of our efforts and our communication with them."