Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71 after collapsing in his home

An investigation has been launched into the death of wrestling icon Hulk Hogan(Image: WireImage)

Police in Florida have launched a medical investigation into the death of Hulk Hogan. The wrestling icon, born Terry Bollea, died in a Florida hospital on Thursday morning after paramedics were called to his home and spent more than an hour battling to save his life – and now police have confirmed no foul play is suspected but they will be reviewing what happened, calling it a “standard” procedure.

During a press conference on Thursday, Major Nate Burnside of the Clearwater Police Department explained: “The Clearwater Police Department is conducting a medical investigation, which is standard in these types of cases. There are no signs of foul play or suspicious activity related to this call for service at this time.”

He also added more details about the emergency call, saying: “Just before 10 AM, Clearwater Police Department responded to a house in the 1000 block of El Dorado Avenue for a medical related call.”It was discovered at that time that Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, was experiencing a serious medical related issue. Personnel provided medical treatment at that time and transported Mr. Bollea to Morton Plant Hospital, where he died at 11:17 AM.”

The larger than life wrestler has died at the age of 71(Image: AP)

Hogan’s death was confirmed in a statement released by WWE shortly after the tragedy, which read: “WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away.

“One of pop culture’s most recognisable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”

Hogan had been reported to be in ill health since having an adverse reaction to cervical surgery on his neck in June.

His ex-manager and long-time friend Jimmy Hart had revealed the wrestling star was unable to talk and he had been moved from his bed at Morton Plant to his home for his recuperation.

In February 2023, Hogan was seen walking with a cane and a month earlier, fellow wrestler Kurt Angle, 55, said the WWE veteran had lost all feeling in his legs after surgery.

Speaking on The Kurt Angle Show, Kurt said: “He had the nerves cut from his lower body. He can’t feel his lower body. So (he) uses his cane to walk around.”

He added: “I thought he was using the cane because he had pain in his back. He doesn’t have any pain. He has nothing at all. He can’t feel anything.”

Hogan’s representative denied the claim at the time, telling Entertainment Tonight: “Everything is OK with him. Hulk is someone with a lot of humour.”

Hogan had been in and out of hospital in the months before his death. In June, he underwent a four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion – a complex neck surgery.

His wife, 45-year-old Sky Daily, told fans on Instagram at the time he was recovering from the “intense surgery with a long and layered healing process”.

She said the operation had also affected his vocal cords and required breathing and feeding tubes.

Sky added: “He’s healing and we’re taking it one day at a time with love, strength, and patience.”

Rumours had spread on social media suggesting Hogan was in a coma, which Daily denied.

“No, he’s definitely not in a coma!” she said, according to PennLive. She added: “His heart is strong, and there was never any lack of oxygen or brain damage.”

Two days before Hulk’s death, his longtime manager, 81-year-old Jimmy Hart, wrote on X: “Hulk is doing great, doing phenomenal!”