Full Breakdown
Hulk Hogan’s Death Declared Natural After Year-Long Police Review
6/7/2026, 12:36:02 AM
Background and Health Profile
Terry Gene Bollea, known as Hulk Hogan, died at his Clearwater, Florida home on July 24 2025, aged 71. He had a long history of orthopedic surgeries (20-30 procedures) and recent cardiac issues, including atrial fibrillation and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Occupational therapist Justin McCamey, employed for two weeks, was present when Hogan stopped breathing; he initially suggested a phrenic-nerve injury but later clarified he was not a neurosurgeon and was only speculating.
Timeline of Events and Investigation
- July 24 2025: Hogan collapsed; police arrived ~10:21 a.m., performed CPR, and he was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m. after transport to Morgan Plant Hospital.
- August 2025: Media reported McCamey’s malpractice speculation; daughter Brooke voiced doubts.
- October 2025: Family filed a petition to extend the statute of limitations for a potential malpractice suit.
- June 5 2026: Clearwater Police released a 70-72-page report classifying the death as an “attended natural death” and closed the 11-month investigation.
Official Statements & Responses
Clearwater Police confirmed the death as natural and found no criminal evidence. Spokesperson Rob Shaw thanked the family and attorney Kevin Hayslett for allowing access to personal records, describing the cooperation as essential. WWE issued a condolence statement, noting Hogan’s influence on professional wrestling. The family—Sky Daily, Nick and Brooke—cooperated fully with investigators.
Criticism, Family Concerns, and Opposition
Brooke Bollea called the death “weird,” questioned the leukemia diagnosis, and cited the phrenic-nerve claim. She pursued a petition to extend the malpractice-statute deadline, seeking a thorough medical-legal review despite the police’s natural-death finding.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The police report and private autopsy list acute myocardial infarction as the immediate cause, while other sources stress atrial fibrillation and leukemia. The phrenic-nerve allegation lacks verification; McCamey’s speculation was retracted and no forensic evidence was found. No criminal or foul-play evidence emerged, leaving the malpractice claim unresolved. Additionally, the hospital where Hogan was pronounced dead is named Morgan Plant Hospital in some reports and Morton Plant Hospital in others.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The investigation into the death of Terry Bollea is now closed, and classified as an attended natural death,” — Clearwater Police Department statement
- “We want to thank the family of Mr. Bollea — Sky, Nick and Brooke — and their attorney, Kevin Hayslett, for their cooperation.” — Rob Shaw, police spokesperson
- “There has been no evidence to indicate the death of Terry Bollea was anything other than natural,” — Police report
- “not a neurosurgeon,” — Justin McCamey, occupational therapist
Why It Matters / Impact
The conclusion of a natural death ends months of speculation that could have affected public perception of medical care for high-profile athletes and may influence future handling of malpractice claims involving celebrity patients. It also underscores the role of thorough police reviews in clarifying cause-of-death queries.
What’s Next
The family’s petition to extend the malpractice-statute deadline remains pending, and any civil suit will proceed independently of the police findings. No further criminal investigation is expected.
