30 Years Ago: First Von Erich Tragedy Occurs in Japan

David Von Erich From Larry Stoy: Thirty years ago today, pro wrestling lost one of its brightest stars when it was reported that...

David Von Erich

From Larry Stoy:

Thirty years ago today, pro wrestling lost one of its brightest stars when it was reported that David Von Erich had been found dead in a hotel room in Japan. The actual cause of his death was disputed for many years, as reports ranged from a drug overdose to a heart attack. Family and close friends said that David had some health issues prior to his leaving for a brief tour of Japan, including a visit to an emergency room in Corpus Christi, Texas.

During his career, David wrestled mainly for his father Fritz Von Erich in and around the Dallas-based World Class Championship Wrestling territory. He also made visits to Florida and St. Louis – as well as a brief stint in Georgia in 1977 – to wrestle many high profile matches against the top stars of the National Wrestling Alliance.

He won many titles, including the prestigious Missouri Heavyweight Championship, which is considered the final step towards becoming the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. One of wrestling's greatest urban legends is that David was promised the title in early 1984.

Although he was thought of very highly by the NWA Board of Directors, nothing was a certainty. But an angle that was put in place following his death certainly gave the impression that David would have become champion after he returned from Japan, as his brother Kerry would go on to defeat Ric Flair for the highly coveted title.

David was 25 at the time of his death and survived by his second wife Patricia A. "Trish" Matter. A daughter from a previous marriage – Natosha Zoeanna Adkisson – preceded David in death and is buried next to her father in Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas.

Sadly, his passing would be the first of a series of tragedies to befall the family.