WWE icon Hulk Hogan is at the center of a growing storm after a therapist suggested a fatal medical error may have played a key role in his sudden death last month.

According to Daily Mail, initially ruled as cardiac arrest due to natural causes, Hogan’s July 24 death is now under informal scrutiny following a firsthand claim that a severed nerve from recent surgery could have compromised his ability to breathe.

Legend's final months were filled with surgeries and recovery

Terry Bollea, best known by his wrestling alias Hulk Hogan, passed away on July 24 at the age of 71 in Clearwater, Florida. Paramedics responded to a 911 call from his wife, Sky Daily, after Hogan suddenly stopped breathing at home. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital less than 90 minutes later.

According to early reports, the cause of death was cardiac arrest, and it was officially labeled natural causes. The Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office declined to conduct an autopsy, stating no signs of foul play were present. This seemed to confirm initial beliefs that the wrestler's long-standing health issues had finally caught up with him.

However, Hogan had undergone recent neck and back surgeries in the weeks leading up to his death. A source familiar with Hogan’s condition noted that years of wrestling had left his body severely worn, describing it as comparable to that of a man 140 years old in terms of physical wear.

The therapist’s claim raises new concerns

Just weeks before his death, Hogan was actively undergoing therapy to recover from those operations, with aspirations of regaining full strength. On the day of his death, an unnamed occupational therapist was at his residence and reportedly witnessed the alarming health episode firsthand.

The therapist allegedly informed law enforcement on the scene that Hogan's phrenic nerve—essential in controlling the diaphragm for breathing—may have been damaged or “severed” during a recent medical procedure. This revelation has since sparked tension, speculation, and calls for deeper scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding Hogan’s passing.

The Clearwater Police Department later acknowledged that no suspicious circumstances were evident at the time. Nevertheless, body-worn camera footage appears to capture the therapist sharing concerns about possible medical malpractice, sparking questions among investigators and loved ones alike.

Disagreement within the family about access and control

Adding to the story’s complexity are statements made by Hogan's daughter, Brooke Hogan, who was reportedly estranged from her father until shortly before his death. Though initially silent, Brooke has recently taken to social media to question the rushed medical conclusions and demand transparency.

In a striking statement, Brooke claimed she received phone calls from individuals—including nurses and police officials—who allegedly urged her to request police body cam footage and 911 dispatch recordings. She wrote that these materials might contain “enough light to change the narrative we’ve been hearing.”

According to Brooke, she has been told she does not have control over decisions about her father’s body or medical records. She stated that it is unclear whether he was cremated and expressed concern regarding the speed of final arrangements.

Media figures and friends add fuel to speculation

Further fueling controversy, Florida media personality Bubba the Love Sponge (real name Todd Clem), a longtime associate of Hogan, questioned the supposed quick cremation and openly speculated whether Hogan’s dialysis port—used for kidney treatment—could have been tampered with. His unverified allegations have been widely circulated but not substantiated by any official findings.

Brooke appeared to endorse these concerns by sharing an article authored by Clem, captioning it with a one-word response: “Exactly.” She has made clear she intends to keep any autopsy findings, should one be carried out, private out of respect for her father. However, she acknowledged being told by her brother that an autopsy might still happen.

Hogan’s wife, Sky Daily, responded to the growing media narrative by urging people not to trust what she called “misleading media stories” and messages from those who weren’t close to the situation. She referenced anonymous online users and questioned their proximity to fact-based information.

No official investigation announced despite public interest

Law enforcement has reiterated that there is no active criminal investigation at this time. A spokesperson for the Clearwater Police Department stated that authorities observed nothing unusual or suspicious during their response to Hogan’s death. The current public inquiry centers mostly on the claims made by the therapist and concerns raised by family members and friends.

Medical personnel reportedly administered treatment at the hospital to address high potassium levels and also used Narcan, a drug typically used in opioid overdoses. However, officials stated there was no indication that drug abuse was involved in Hogan’s death.

As speculation continues, public interest in Hogan’s passing—once viewed as tragic but straightforward—has intensified. The combination of a high-profile subject, conflicting accounts, and unanswered medical concerns has kept the story in the spotlight long after funeral rites may have already occurred.

Lessons to Learn From This Tragedy

1. Request full transparency following a major loss: In cases of sudden or unexpected death, families should insist on complete access to emergency call logs, autopsy reports, and hospital records. This ensures critical medical decisions are not overlooked during emotionally fragile times.

2. Know your rights regarding medical information: It is essential to clarify who holds control over medical decisions and access to a loved one’s posthumous records. Issues of power of attorney and next-of-kin rights can become obstacles without preparation.

3. Question standard procedures when necessary: While quick cremation may be common practice in some jurisdictions, families have a right to question expediency—especially if they have a credible reason to believe a death was preventable. Still, it’s important to note that no matter the precautions, medical complications can arise unexpectedly and are not always the result of a crime.

Why This Story Matters

This story underscores the emotional complications that can arise in high-profile deaths, especially when medical negligence is suspected. It also highlights the challenges families face navigating bureaucracy while grieving. Most importantly, it calls attention to systemic gaps in postmortem transparency and patients’ rights.

Conclusion: A tangled legacy in Hogan's final chapter

Hulk Hogan, a wrestling legend with decades of fame, passed away on July 24 from what was believed to be natural causes related to cardiac arrest. However, the presence of a therapist who raised the alarm about a potentially severed phrenic nerve has triggered new attention. His daughter Brooke Hogan has publicly questioned whether all appropriate steps were taken following her father’s death, while media speculation and unverified claims from personal associates continue to fuel public confusion. No foul play has been determined, and the Clearwater Police Department maintains that nothing suspicious occurred. Still, with family members seeking crucial recordings and demanding clarity over Hogan's medical treatment, the story has taken a turn from a straightforward tragedy to one with headlines still forming.