The Von Erich family name is synonymous with both great success and utter tragedy in professional wrestling. With their story full of triumph and devastating loss, many fans and historians wonder why so many members of this iconic wrestling family died by suicide.
This article goes in-depth into the sad story of the Von Erichs, the pressures they faced, and some possible reasons for their tragic deaths.
The Rise of the Von Erich Family in Wrestling
The Von Erich family, led by patriarch Fritz Von Erich, was synonymous with professional wrestling throughout the 1970s and 1980s. From Fritz and his sons-Kerry, Kevin, David, Mike, and Chris-all were in the wrestling business, their family became known as one of the most famous wrestling dynasties in history. The Von Erichs found success in World Class Championship Wrestling, with Kerry Von Erich becoming a particular star and even winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
Their popularity made them household names in Texas and beyond, with the Von Erichs becoming symbols of heroism and strength. But behind their public persona, the family was struggling with personal issues that would lead to tragedy.
Why Did the Von Erichs Kill Themselves?
The tragic suicides of the Von Erich family could be attributed to personal struggles, family pressures, and the harsh realities of professional wrestling. Raised in a famous wrestling dynasty, the Von Erich brothers were burdened with high expectations to live up to their family’s legacy.
The physical toll of wrestling, including injuries and chronic pain, added to their mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Substance abuse also played a part in their struggles.
Of the brothers, David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris, the pressure to succeed, personal trauma, and inability to cope with their emotions led them all to commit suicide.
The family story underlines the tragic hidden emotional problems of those who are in the spotlight and, more poignantly, reminds us of the need for awareness and support of mental health.
The Unbelievable Losses: The Deaths of the Von Erich Sons
The sad story of the Von Erichs includes the deaths of most of their sons at young ages. Many of those deaths were by suicide, and it has shaken the wrestling world to this date due to much speculation on the deaths.
1. David Von Erich (1958-1984)
David was the first to pass away, at the age of 25 in 1984. His death was listed as acute enteritis, or inflammation of the intestines, although many have speculated that it was drug-related; a problem many wrestlers faced during the time period.
2. Kerry Von Erich (1960-1993)
Kerry was perhaps the most famous of the Von Erich brothers and died by suicide in 1993 at age 33. He struggled through life, losing his foot in a motorcycle accident, which many felt was exacerbated by depression.
His difficulties adjusting to life after the accident, combined with his troubled mental health, led many to feel that these were factors that influenced his tragic decision.
3. Mike Von Erich (1964-1987)
Mike Von Erich had also followed in his brothers’ footsteps, attempting to build a career in wrestling, but he was suffering from chronic pain as a result of an injury he sustained in the ring.
His death by suicide in 1987 was another devastating blow to the family, and some say the pressure of living up to the family legacy played a significant role in his decision.
4. Chris Von Erich (1969-1991)
Chris, the least successful of the Von Erich sons in wrestling, had very bad depression. After failing to make a significant impact in wrestling and dealing with the weight of his family’s expectations, Chris took his own life in 1991 at the age of 21.
The Legacy of the Von Erich Family
The Von Erich family’s story is still one of the saddest ever heard in wrestling history. With all the fame and success, personal struggles haunted them to such an extent that they lost so many of their members.
But the legacy of the family lives on. Kevin Von Erich, the remaining brother, has worked tirelessly to keep his family’s memory alive and to tell their story to the world. He has also been a strong advocate for mental health awareness and the importance of addressing the issues that plagued his family.
