Coroner's Report Reveals The Ultimate Warrior Died of Heart Disease

Eight days ago, "The Ultimate Warrior" Jim Hellwig made his "Thank You" address to fans after eighteen years away from WWE.

Seven days ago, he passed away.

Now, the coroner's report findings are in, and they reveal that Hellwig died of cardiovascular disease, according to Maricopa County spokeswoman Cari Gerchick.

Heart disease had apparently run in Hellwig's family, as his father passed away at age 54 his grandfather at age 57.

The 54-year-old Hellwig had been on a whirlwind tour on the week of his death. On April 5, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. On April 6, he appeared at Wrestlemania 30 live in New Orleands, Louisiana. And, the next night, he arrived to WWE Monday Night Raw to deliver what would be his farewell address to his fans, with words that would prove prophetic:

Every man's heart one day beats its final beat, his lungs breathe their final breath. And if what that man did in his life makes the blood pulse through the body of others, and makes them bleed deeper, then something larger than life, then his essence, his spirit, will be immortalized. By the storytellers, by the loyalty, by the memory of those who honor him and make the running the man did live forever.

You, you, you, you, you, you are the legend makers of Ultimate Warrior.

In the back, I see many potential legends, some of them with warrior spirits. And you will do the same for them. You will decide if they live with the passion and intensity. So much so that you will tell your stories and you will make them legends as well. I am Ultimate Warrior. You are the Ultimate Warrior fans. And the spirit of Ultimate Warrior will run forever.

The next day, on April 8, Hellwig collapsed while walking with his wife to their car at a hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. Scottsdale police state there were no signs of foul play.

Ultimately, The Warrior will live on for as long as fans remember him. Sure, he was controversial in his day (hell, he had his name legally changed to "Warrior" during his time away from WWE, just so they couldn't claim copyright infringement against him for using the name in public appearances), but the final week of his life only adds to his legend, I think. From intercontinental champion to WWE champion, from outsider to returning legend, from footnote to Hall of Famer, there have been few journeys like Warrior's. And that's fitting, since there have been few performers like him, if there have ever been any at all.

Via: ESPN

Credit: WWE