Former professional wrestler Daffney Unger has died at age 46, several wrestling promotions and WWE on Fox haveconfirmed.
Unger’s mother Jean Tookey Spruill(the wrestler’s real name was Shannon Spruill) also confirmed her death, writing on Facebook, “It is with great sadness I have to let you know that my daughter Shannon Spruill … Scream Queen Daff, passed away suddenly last night. Absolutely heartbroken.”
“The most important thing to remember is, that, CTE, and head injuries and concussions, they can only really now be—” Unger said in the video, before pausing and taking several nervous breaths. “They can now really only be diagnosed after you are dead.”
“So, I don’t want to do anything to hurt my brain. I want to be studied,” she continued. “I want the future generations to know. Don’t do stupid s— like me.”
After the Instagram Live, former pro wrestler Mick Foley used Twitter to ask people to help locate Unger.
“If anyone has a way of reaching Daffney Unger, or knows her address, please help out,” Foleysaid. “She’s in a bad personal place and is threatening to harm herself. My phone call went straight to voicemail.”
SHIMMER Wrestlingannounced Unger’s death on Thursday morning with a message from her friend, Lexie Fyfe. Social mediaaccountsconnected to WWE also posted tributes to the former wrestler, who got her start in 1999 on WCW and also had a notable stint in TNA.
The WWE, which purchased WCW in 2001, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Fyfetold theNew York Daily Newsthat Unger was found on Thursday morning, adding, “This last act, I don’t want it to define her. She would always want people to reach out for help and to check in on those they’re worried about. We’re going to miss her.”
Daffney Unger.Daffney Unger/Instagram
“I’m so very sorry to learn of Daffney’s passing,” Foleywroteon Thursday morning. “A terrible loss for her family, friends and wrestling. She was far ahead [of] her time in our business. #RIPDaffney If you’re hurting and thinking of doing harm to yourself, please know that help is available.”
Unger was a “born performer,” Fyfe told theDaily News, noting her friend was “made for wrestling.”
“When she had to retire due to injuries, she missed it immensely,” Fyfe said. “She’ll be missed as a performer too, not just as a friend, but mostly as a friend.”
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If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go tosuicidepreventionlifeline.org.
source: people.com
