Police: Openly gay former pro wrestler Chris Kanyon found dead of apparent suicide in NYC

Gay former professional wrestler found dead in NYC

NEW YORK — Police say a man who identified himself as one of the first openly gay professional wrestlers was found dead of an apparent suicide in his New York City apartment.

Police say Chris Klucsaritis (KLOO’-suh-REYE’-tihs) was found by his brother in the living room of his apartment Friday. A suicide note has been recovered.

The 40-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. The Medical Examiner’s office is investigating to determine the exact cause of death.

Klucsaritis wrestled under the name Chris Kanyon.

He started his career in the late 1990s and was part of the championship tag team “Men at Work.” He later joined World Wrestling Entertainment.

He retired in 2004. But Klucsaritis still wrestled on occasion, billing himself as an openly gay wrestler.