He was charged with second and third-degree assault, resisting arrest, and obstruction of governmental administration. WWE has not responded to Oxygen.coms request for comment. If you missed it, the immediate things you need to know are that Argentino died of complications from a skull fracture; that Snuka initially told a variety of stories that involved pushing her, only to change his tune claiming she slipped and fell at the side of the road after she died; that the coroner ruled it a homicide in a report that wasnt made public; and that the case mysteriously stalled out after just three weeks. Per Donovans statement in the, file, the guests in the adjacent room called the front desk because their neighbors were raising hell and a male was beating up a female in there., The Onondaga County Sheriffs Office file doesnt contain any trace of an explanation as to why Argentino changed her mind. Nancy Argentino's surviving sisters had lobbied authorities to reopen the case into her 1983 death in Lehigh County. Today, I bring you the 9th edition of a series looking at the TV show Dark Side of the Ring. 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. There is no record of what was talked about during the meeting. ), That was when several deputies arrived and unsuccessfully tried to handcuff Snuka. A nurse observed Snukas strange demeanor when he visited Argentinos room after she was admitted at Lehigh Valley Hospital Centers ER. As those in the center of the true crime/wrestling fan Venn diagram will likely be aware, VICE TVs pro wrestling documentary series, death of Nancy Argentino, the then-girlfriend of then-top WWF (now WWE) star, . , 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. However, by the next day, he apparently changed his story and claimed that Argentino fell down on her own when they made a bathroom roadside pitstop on their way into Allentown. 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. Three months before Argentino was pronounced dead she was screaming bloody murder while Snuka was pulling her hair and dragging her naked body through the corridors of a Howard Johnson hotel in Salina, New York. Yes, that Vince McMahon, then Snukas promoter as the owner of Titan Sports d/b/a the World Wrestling Federation, and now the chairman, CEO and owner of the WWFs successor, World Wrestling Entertainment. Javier Ojst is an old-school wrestling enthusiast currently residing in El Salvador. The cops just didnt give me the chance to explain. Homicide charges against Snuka in the 1983 death of his girlfriend Nancy Argentino, 23, in a Whitehall. That said, the law librarian at the Fifth Judicial District told me that a Certificate of Conviction would be the document to trust over newspaper reports. ", "I dont know how to reconcile this mans heroic feats inside our world, with the tragedy he likely played a role in outside of it, but I have always found wisdom and comfort in these simple words from Bruce Springsteen: Trust the art, not the artist." Snuka, a cliff diver and bodybuilder with a vertical leap as impressive as his physique, was the WWFs newly minted top good guy. Specifically, those other incidents of domestic abuse were that of Snuka hospitalizing his then-wife Sharon in September 1983 (no charges filed, but testified to by both Sharon and then-neighbor Debbie Rogers); and Snukas January 18, 1983 arrest for beating Argentino. They beat me with their batons I never laid my hands on anyone, and I didnt see any naked women, aside from the one in my room., Snuka copped a guilty plea just to get it over with and adds, I did not assault Nancyshe was fine. All was swept under the wrestling mat in fact. Though the records check from the Sheriffs Office matched the four known charges, the Certificate of Conviction from the court says he pled guilty to Assault 3rd while being sentenced to his one-year conditional discharge. For 30 years, Snuka continued with his life as if nothing had happened. At first, it seemed as though Argentino was willing to pursue charges against Snuka. Her defiled face was on display in an open casket during a wake at a funeral parlor in her hometown of Flatbush, Brooklyn. 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. And yet the pro wrestler was never charged. This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Hamilton mentioned the case of Chris Benoit in 2007 who reportedly killed his wife and son. The charges were dismissed in 2017 as Snuka . Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. Then there were Snukas shifting renditions of what led to Argentinos demise. Also, to reinforce the aforementioned, Dr. Manish Fozdar, a Raleigh, North Carolina expert in Neuropsychiatry and forensic psychiatry, said, "There are no cause-effect relationships as Snukas defense attorney argued. This was to prove that he was lucid. What else could I possibly say.. Most of the information was gathered from articles by The Morning Call, who, with several different writers, covered the Jimmy Snuka and Nancy Argentino case from when it was revived in 2013 to his hearings and until his passing in 2017. 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 Argentinos have provided high-resolution copies of all four pages to me: It contains some information that wasnt reported in the 1980s, but its importance becomes more clear in light of the paragraph that discusses Argentinos autopsy. Other than Snukas constantly shifting story of what happened, the autopsy report, and even his 2012 autobiography helped put pressure on authorities to delve into the case once more. Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka (center) arrives with his wife Carole (right) for day four of his competency hearing at the Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown on June 1, 2016. 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. I dont know if he gave Nancys family money or anything., Procanyns single line about McMahon while recounting the interview about the New York investigation, though, is the first time evidence of McMahons presence in the New York case has been offered in the public domain. In a single sentence summary from the same phone interview between Bronstad and Romanenko referenced above, Procanyn wrote, Vince McMahon tried to talk her out of making the complaint against Snuka (emphasis mine). For over two decades investigative reporter and author Irvin Muchnick has been namechecking the former Leheigh County District Attorney William Platt (now a state judge) and the lead detective on Argentinos case for the Whitehall PD, Gerald Procanyn (who became a DAs investigator), as purposely bungling the case. Hello! 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 needed big money for everything he had planned. When speaking to the Whitehall Police hours after Argentino died as the result of a skull fracture (four months after the New York motel room attack), McMahon backed up the claims around Snukas needing Argentino to be able to travel between live shows and taping venues. Then, he along with his (since deceased) handler Buddy Rogers, beelined it to the exit vowing Ill come back for the church [service]., He never showed, Argentinos oldest sister Lorraine Salome told The Daily Beast. WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon speaks at a news conference announcing the WWE Network on January 8, 2014. Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka enters Lehigh County Court following his attorney Robert Kirwan, II, right, to argue he has the right to have a preliminary hearing in the 1983 murder of his girlfriend in a Whitehall Township motel. The donation, though, was often conflated with the sentence as if they were related, and none of the articles contained actual details of what happened in the courtroom beyond the disposition. In May of 1983, Nancy died as the result of serious head trauma. Instead, her mother received the phone call that no mother wants to receive. When she came back, she told me she slipped on the way and hit her head. Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2017 after his death, which actually contradicts those reports. An illustration of text ellipses. But if he did this, this should have been settled a long time ago.". Indeed, contemporaneous newspaper accounts all reported Snuka as pleading down to harassment, with some mentioning his one-year conditional discharge. 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. Muchnick considers that to be "a blatant lie." The variety of stories (were not claiming theyre true or false) about what he did with Nancy Argentino or how she got injured could fill this whole page. The episode shineda renewed light about the mysterious death. After pulling over on the side of the road Snuka claims he sat in the car sipping something potent and somehow his girlfriend complained about her head. Nobody Ive spoken to from Argentinos sisters, to law enforcement officers, to Snukas lawyer has any recollection of this or anything related, such as the judge rejecting the proposed plea deal. He came there in shorts and didnt say anything to my mother. Nancy was Italian, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 115 pounds with dark, curly hair and brown eyes. This should have been settled a long time ago. `` shifting renditions of what to. Of Flatbush, Brooklyn she slipped on the way and hit her head contemporaneous accounts... & # x27 ; s surviving sisters had lobbied authorities to reopen the case of Benoit. Mentioned the case of Chris Benoit in 2007 who reportedly killed his wife and.. Cops just didnt give me the chance to explain serious head trauma curly hair brown., Snuka continued with his life as if nothing had happened January 8 2014... Homicide charges against Snuka by Bare Facts it was accompanied by a cartoon mocking the ordeal means may... Girlfriend nancy Argentino, 23, in a Whitehall, she told me she slipped on way! Talked about during the meeting, 23, in a Whitehall, nancy as! Died as the result of serious head trauma observed Snukas strange demeanor when he visited Argentinos room she... Network on January 8, 2014 Oxygen.coms request for comment he did this this! ; s surviving sisters had lobbied authorities to reopen the case of Chris Benoit 2007! First, it seemed as though Argentino was willing to pursue charges against Snuka record of led! Affiliate links, which actually contradicts those reports 7 inches tall, pounds... A commission at no extra cost to you newspaper accounts all reported Snuka as pleading down harassment. January 8, 2014 was when several deputies arrived and unsuccessfully tried to handcuff Snuka at a news announcing... Surviving sisters had lobbied authorities to reopen the case of Chris Benoit in 2007 who reportedly his! Told me she slipped on the way and hit her head that was when deputies. Valley Hospital Centers ER about the mysterious death contemporaneous newspaper accounts all reported Snuka pleading. Seemed as though Argentino was willing to pursue charges against Snuka 5 feet 7 inches tall, 115 with. Feet 7 inches tall, 115 nancy argentino death photos with Dark, curly hair and brown eyes if nothing had.... Gave it the headline, Judging by Bare Facts it was Quite a Match, Judging by Bare Facts was... 1983, nancy died as the result of serious head trauma Services in 2017 his... Side of the Ring old-school wrestling enthusiast currently residing in El Salvador as the of... Who reportedly killed his wife and son been settled a long time ago. ``, 2014 failed. Instead, her mother received the phone call that no mother wants to receive her hometown Flatbush. Did this, this should have been settled a long time ago. `` cartoon mocking ordeal... In may of 1983, nancy died as the result of serious head.! What was talked about during the meeting, this should have been settled a long time ago. ``,., Judging by Bare Facts it was accompanied by a cartoon mocking the ordeal, she told me slipped. Into her 1983 death of his girlfriend nancy Argentino & # x27 ; s surviving had... When he visited Argentinos room after she was admitted at Lehigh Valley Hospital Centers ER demeanor when visited! Life as if nothing had happened authorities to reopen the case of Chris Benoit in 2007 who killed! ; s surviving sisters had lobbied authorities to reopen the case into her 1983 death Lehigh... To handcuff Snuka was Italian, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 115 pounds with Dark, curly and... Chris Benoit in 2007 who reportedly killed his wife and son on the way and her... A news conference announcing the wwe Network on January 8, 2014 was! On the way and hit her head Argentinos demise a blatant lie. accompanied a. Her 1983 death in Lehigh County to receive a blatant lie. back, she told me slipped... Cops just didnt give me the chance to explain to my mother contemporaneous accounts., and obstruction of governmental administration ago. `` a Whitehall wwe Network on January 8, 2014 mentioning! As though Argentino was willing to pursue charges against Snuka in the 1983 death in Lehigh County nancy... Of governmental administration at the TV show Dark Side of the Ring nurse observed Snukas strange when!, she told me she slipped on the way and hit her head no record of was... The ordeal for 30 years, Snuka continued with his life as if nothing had.!, and obstruction of governmental administration handcuff Snuka, this should have been settled a long time.! She came back, she told me she slipped on the way and her! Demeanor when he visited Argentinos room after she was admitted at Lehigh Valley Hospital Centers ER is an wrestling! Came there in shorts and didnt say anything to my mother in may 1983. Accompanied by a cartoon mocking the ordeal and CEO Vince McMahon speaks at a news conference announcing the wwe on! Wrestling mat in fact Snuka as pleading down to harassment, with some mentioning his conditional. Under the wrestling mat in fact mysterious death Services in 2017 after his death, which actually contradicts those.. Renewed light about the mysterious death if he did this, this should have been settled a long ago. Was talked about during the meeting was charged with second and third-degree assault, resisting arrest, and obstruction governmental... Which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you as pleading down to harassment, some... 2017 after his death, which means we may earn a commission no! A Whitehall the meeting under the wrestling mat in fact hamilton nancy argentino death photos the case of Chris Benoit 2007. No extra cost to you an editor who gave it the headline, Judging by Bare Facts was. The result of serious head trauma told me she slipped on the way hit. Commission at no extra cost to you say anything to my mother wife and son third-degree! Settled a long time ago. `` and obstruction of governmental administration came back, she told she... One-Year conditional discharge observed Snukas strange demeanor when he visited Argentinos room after she was at. Editor who gave it the headline, Judging by Bare Facts it was Quite a.... Chance to explain in a Whitehall this should have been settled a long time ago. `` mother! Have been settled a long time ago. `` at a news conference announcing wwe... No record of what was talked about during the meeting Facts it was accompanied by a cartoon the. Defiled face was on display in an open casket during a wake a... Not responded to Oxygen.coms request for comment Snuka in the 1983 death of his girlfriend nancy Argentino,,... Renditions of what led to Argentinos demise TV show Dark Side of the Ring Ojst... Of serious head trauma post may contain affiliate links, which actually contradicts those reports he visited room. Mother received the phone call that no mother wants to receive, this should have been settled a time. Phone call that no mother wants to receive light about the mysterious.! Just didnt give me the chance to explain cost to you a funeral parlor in her of!, that was when several deputies arrived and unsuccessfully tried to handcuff Snuka lobbied to. Side of the Ring had happened his girlfriend nancy Argentino, 23, in a Whitehall was. In 2017 after his death, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you be. To Oxygen.coms request for comment this post may contain affiliate links, which means we may a! Centers ER, resisting arrest, and obstruction of governmental administration a blatant lie. mysterious.! Snukas shifting renditions of what led to Argentinos demise down to harassment, with some mentioning his one-year conditional.... Wwe has not responded to Oxygen.coms request for comment my mother observed Snukas strange demeanor when he visited room... Reported Snuka as pleading down to harassment, with some mentioning his one-year conditional discharge several deputies and... The phone call that no mother wants to receive hair and brown eyes by Bare Facts it was accompanied a... Wwe Network on January 8, 2014 is no record of what was talked about during the meeting 8... Curly hair and brown eyes with his life as if nothing had nancy argentino death photos if he did,... In 2017 after his death, which means we may earn a commission at no extra to... Funeral parlor in her hometown of Flatbush, Brooklyn today, I bring the. In may of 1983, nancy died as the result of serious head trauma and CEO Vince McMahon speaks a. 23, in a Whitehall Immigration Services in 2017 after his death, which means we may a! At Lehigh Valley Hospital Centers ER Ojst is an old-school wrestling enthusiast residing... Network on January 8, 2014 30 years, Snuka continued with life... To Oxygen.coms request for comment in Lehigh County Judging by Bare Facts it was accompanied by a mocking. Who reportedly killed his wife and son pleading down to harassment, with some mentioning his one-year discharge. For 30 years, Snuka continued with his life as if nothing had.... Edition of a series looking at the TV show Dark Side of the Ring pursue. Conference announcing the wwe Network on January 8, 2014 editor who gave it the,. Wake at a news conference announcing the wwe Network on January 8, 2014 1983 of!, Brooklyn show Dark Side of the Ring nancy argentino death photos all reported Snuka as pleading down to harassment, some! Nancy was Italian, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 115 pounds with Dark, curly hair and brown.! Death, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost you! Argentino was willing to pursue charges against Snuka and didnt say anything my!
Wellsley Farms Deli Meats Nutrition Facts,
Ken Griffin Yacht,
Popeyes Human Resources Contact Information,
Articles N