Pro wrestling legend Ric Flair reacted to the untimely passing of his stepson in an emotional post on social media.
Flair’s stepson, Sebastian Kidder, took his own life over the weekend at the age of 24 with news of his death breaking on Sunday.
The 75-year-old WWE Hall of Famer had not publically addressed Kidder’s death until Sunday night.
“I Have Spent Hours Wondering What To Say. After Hearing The News Of Sebastian’s Passing, I Can Only Imagine What Wendy & Paul Are Going Through Having Lost A Son Approximately The Same Age In 2013,” Flair wrote in part of his post.
“I’m So Thankful For The Time I Had With Sebastian. I Have So Many Great Memories & Bonding Time With Him As He Grew Up!” he later wrote. “He Stood Tall By His Mother Along With The Whole Family- Sophia, Paris, And Summer, While I Was Dying. He Was So Unselfish Sharing His Mother With Me As I Was Dying. And Also, At The Passing Of My Son Reid. He Was Multi-Talented & In Everybody’s Eyes A Huge Success And Will Always Be Remembered That Way.”
Kidder died on Saturday after suffering a gunshot wound, TMZ reported.
His mother, Wendy Barlow, confirmed Kidder’s death to the outlet.
“I am devastated and shocked. This is an epidemic with your young men. And mental health,” Barlow said.
Kidder is the son of Barlow and a previous partner who she had been with before she married Flair in 2018.
His son Reid died in March 2013 at the age of 25 of a drug overdose and was discovered in a Charlotte hotel room.
TMZ reported that Flair had been a part of Kidder’s life for more than a decade and a half dating back to before Barlow and Flair wed.
Flair announced last month that he and Barlow were splitting up.
In an interview on Good Day Atlanta earlier this year, Kidder discussed what it had been like to have Flair in his life for so long.
“A lot of advice, for sure. That’s the interesting thing growing up with Ric Flair as a stepdad, [he] was very different and very unique,” Kidder said, according to US Weekly. “I mean you go out to a family meal and you’re just surrounded by fans. You’re already exposed to that [by] an early age, everybody coming up, wanting pictures and autographs. I mean, what kid has, like, Post Malone coming over for dinner?”
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
