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WMC-TV in Memphis, TN featured a story last night (see above or click here) regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of former WWE star Brian Christopher Lawler, who allegedly took his own life while incarcerated at Hardeman County Jail in Bolivar, TN on 7/29, and how his father, WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler does not believe his son actually took his life.
Lawler explained to WMC that his family was told that Brian hung himself with his shoelaces, but photos taken of Brian at the hospital show marks on the sides of his neck but not the front of his throat. Lawler explained that the area that did not feature any marks would be the size of his son’s hand, which leads him to believe Brian was trying to use his hand to try and “keep the pressure” off his throat.
Lawler and his attorney, Ted Hansom told WMC-TV that they had heard from many witnesses, including other inmates and everyone has cast doubt on the official story.
"We've received literally countless calls, text messages from people, actual eyewitnesses, that were in the jail and saw things that happened on the actual day that Brian died that now has opened up a new can of worms," Lawler told WMC-TV. "It just doesn't seem like it was suicide."
Lawler said the same day his son allegedly took his life, they had spoken that morning via the telephone at 11 AM and Brian “talked perfectly normal, perfectly rational." Later, Lawler's fiancee received a phone call around 2 PM informing them Brian had been in a fight with another inmate, even though he was supposed to have been kept away from other prisoners.
Lawler stated that his son had requested medical attention as he was bleeding from the head but “apparently” did not receive it and several hours later, was found dead in his cell.
Lawler stated that the Sheriff had previously given him personal assurances that Brian would be OK while incarcerated. Lawler also alleged that twenty security cameras in the County Jail were not operating the day his son died.
While the official, announced cause of Brian Lawler's death is suicide by hanging, Jerry Lawler commented that “doesn't pass the smell test” and stated that he was not going to stop pursuing the issue until he had answers.
Brian Lawler had been arrested for DUI in front of his home after having been pursued by police on 7/6. According to a TMZ report, authorities observed Christopher speeding and swerving around 1 AM. They attempted to pull him over, but Lawler failed to stop. He finally stopped and according to the police report, Christopher "reeked of booze" and had an open 12 ounce can in his car's center console. Lawler was not under a suicide watch at the time he allegedly hung himself as, according to a statement issued by Hardeman County Sheriff John Doolen on 7/30, there were no indications he had been suicidal at the time of his arrest.
Sheriff Doolen did not return WMC-TV’s request for comment in time for their broadcast last night.
When contacted by PWInsider.com earlier this week regarding the status of the investigation into Brian Lawler’s death, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation responded, “Our investigation remains active and ongoing at this time. The case file is provided to the District Attorney General's office as the investigation progresses, and at the conclusion of the investigation, that office will review the investigative file.”
Brian Christopher Lawler was taken off life support the afternoon of 7/30 after his family said their goodbyes. He was 46 years old at the time of his death.
Memphis channel Local 24 previously reported that the Lawler family may bring a lawsuit over Brian's passing.
"This has been a nightmare, as you can imagine, from the moment I got the call saying that Brian hung himself,” Jerry told WMC-TV.
For more on the life and career of Brian Lawler, click here.
This past weekend, Jerry Lawler's Classic Memphis Wrestling TV series broadcast a tribute episode in honor of Brian Lawler:
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