With regards to the actual events witnessed and lived by deputies at the Howard Johnson Motor Lodge, although the newspaper articles accurately describe the melee between Snuka and the Sheriffs Department, the deputies had much more to say than the papers reported. An illustration of a heart shape Donate. He doesnt remember if money was given to the family of Nancy Argentino, but he knows for sure that he did not hurt her. , We were drinking and having a good time when all of a sudden, the police burst into our room. He added, I dont know why they chose my room maybe mine was the first one they passed but they did. In point of fact, they were there because of a call from Thomas Donovan, the motels night manager. A Lehigh County judge has dropped homicide charges against Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka after viewing the former WWE wrestler's medical records. Thats to say nothing of any potential reputational harm to the organization. They do not want a public apology and would not be a part of it, replied Lieutenant Paul Zemenz, the officers supervisor, in a letter sent back to Sparkes. According to the complaint, the nurse described the hulkish beau as a tall man with a Hawaiian skirt who refused to go to the waiting room. If you missed it, the immediate things you need to know are that Argentino died of, ; that Snuka initially told a variety of stories that involved pushing her, only to change his tune claiming she slipped and fell at the side of the road . [McMahon] states the victim actually guided Snuka from one area to another as Snuka has no conception of time, Procanyn wrote in his report. I want to make clear that I only pushed her away to keep her from hitting me. Snuka recalled the coke-induced bender at the hotel where he and his boys would party and crash. As those in the center of the true crime/wrestling fan Venn diagram will likely be aware, VICE TV's pro wrestling documentary series, Dark Side of the Ring, recently explored the May 11, 1983, death of Nancy Argentino, the then-girlfriend of then-top WWF (now WWE) star "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka. Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2017 after his death, which actually contradicts those reports. she died; that the coroner ruled it a homicide in a report that wasnt made public; and that the case mysteriously stalled out after just three weeks. It wasn't long before she caught the eyes of the wrestlers. If you think Im going to be hurt by the revelation that one of my wrestlers is really a violent individual, youre mistaken.. As for the presence of dirt and gravel that could have indicated Argentino had indeed fallen at the side of the road, to say that Mihalikis did not find any unusual amounts is being generous no such particles were found in Argentinos clothing, hair or scalp at all. Jimmy Snuka, Argentino's boyfriend at the time, was investigated in the death but not charged or arrested until 2015. It was devastating.. The WWE issued a statement after Snukas autobiography was published and the story about McMahon showing up with a briefcase to solve the Snuka situation when it happened in 1983, "The insinuation that a group of medical examiners, detectives, and prosecutors including two who became judges could have their integrity compromised and participate in an improper activity during the course of a meeting is absurd, categorically false and insulting to all parties. Nothing we could do., And just before Argentinos life was taken, her sister said she had promised to be home for Mothers Day. He didnt say anything to me. They definitely do not want any tickets reserved for them for the April 7th wrestling match and would not attend. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by mild or repeated head trauma, but the exact amount needed for the condition to occur is yet unknown. I love the smell of the ladies. Alistair McGeorge. By using this site, you agree to the legal terms set out in ourDisclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. , obtained from U.S. Dattilio told Judge Kelly L. Banach that tests show Snukas brain is shrinking, causing serious memory loss. George The Animal Steele His Double Life and Turnbuckle Fetish. Snuka also didnt help matters, with. Wrestling Babylon: Piledriving Tales of Drugs, Sex, Death, and Scandal, JUSTICE DENIED: The Untold Story of Nancy Argentinos Death in Jimmy Superfly Snukas Motel Room, Dino Bravo | His Shocking Death and Why He Was Murdered by the Mob, Bruiser Bedlam The Insane Crime Life of Wrestlings Ion Croitoru, Ludvig Borga The Surreal, Shocking Life of Tony Halme, https://popcultureretrorama.wordpress.com/author/javierojst/, Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. And just like that, only 12 days later, Jimmy Snuka passed away on January 15th, 2017. In 1985, they won a $500K, wrongful death lawsuit against Snuka but he contended he was broke and never paid it, the, report obtained by Morning Call journalists at that time showed that the medical examiner wrote that they believe that the case should be investigated as a homicide until proven otherwise, the. From the autobiography Superfly: The Jimmy Snuka Story by Jon Chattman: "At the funeral, I told her mother and father how sorry I was about her death. It was 4 a.m and I was already up. It is considered one of the most authoritative accounts of what happened to Nancy Argentino. She ended up driving him to wrestling matches and planning his schedule, which, in turn, may have put Argentino in harm's way. December 2nd, 2016: Snukas defense attorney says hes in a Florida hospice, and doctors have determined that he only has six months to live. The cops just didnt give me the chance to explain. So why did they buy his constantly evolving story? Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. There is nothing in the historical record to suggest that the autopsy report had never been committed to paper before the May 1984 visit with Platt. On September 1st, 2015: After a grand jurys recommendation, Martin proceeds to charge Snuka with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. This whole time Jimmy Snuka had claimed innocence and wrote in his autobiography, "Many terrible things have been written about me hurting Nancy and being responsible for her death, but they are not true. In 1969, Senator Ted Kennedy left a party near midnight with Kopechne. I dont know if he gave Nancys family money or anything., Procanyns single line about McMahon while recounting the interview about the New York investigation, though, is the first time evidence of McMahons presence in the New York case has been offered in the public domain. Adding to the controversy was that Snuka was married to another woman whom he had children with at the time of his relationship with Argentino. My mother thought she was on the way.. This is the disturbing story of Nancy Argentino, who was once the lover of professional wrestler Superfly Jimmy Snuka. He writes in his book, Sharon and I fought all the time. Investigating the mysterious story of Jimmy Snuka, whose girlfriend Nancy Argentino died in their motel room in 1983, and revealing her family's 30-year stru. For over two decades investigative reporter and author Irvin Muchnick has been namechecking the former Leheigh County District Attorney William Platt (now a state judge) and the lead detective on Argentinos case for the Whitehall PD, Gerald Procanyn (who became a DAs investigator), as purposely bungling the case. Following the countys investigative grand jury findings, the WWE issued this statement, "WWE expresses its continued sympathy to the Argentino family for their loss. If he does, hes responsible., On the matter, Jim Cornette lamented, "The word started getting around. In addition, Mihalikis absolutely did find, bruises, lacerations or other indications of a beating or prior injuries. Over two dozen, to be more specific, to the point that the report states that they could suggest mate abuse.. Snukas fall from grace was as low as his peaks of fame were high. Today, I bring you the 9th edition of a series looking at the TV show Dark Side of the Ring. At one point Argentino hopped over a stream before she lost her footing. Snuka definitely says he saw Argentino hit the ground. Despite the tumble they drove to the motel, despite reports that Snuka lacked a drivers license. When she came back, she told me she slipped on the way and hit her head. Former professional wrestling star Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. With this information, the cause of death would have been termed accidental if a formal autopsy report was prepared., As it would later transpire, the paragraph contradicts the complete coroners office file, which I obtained as part of the same civil case appendix mentioned earlier. At around 4 a.m. trucks were approaching Argentino, who had found a bush to squat and pee. The autopsy report has never been transcribed, wrote the lawyer. Snuka was previously ruled incompetent to stand trial in. When I got back to the hotel, I remember being very surprised that she was still in bed. The manager would quickly reply that the much larger figure one which amounts to almost $66,000 with inflation wasnt an issue. You have to think about this and get out of this relationship., But it was too late. I did not have a clear-cut case. These changing stories and the official manner of death werent known publicly until 2013, when the Allentown Morning Call discovered the autopsy report and a Snuka police interview transcript both previously unavailable due to the case still being open in court records from the Argentino familys later wrongful death lawsuit against Superfly. That, and other provable incidents of domestic abuse described to the grand jury, led to an eventual indictment on murder charges, which were dismissed due to Snukas apparent mental incompetence mere days before his 2017 death from stomach cancer. 11:02, 2 Sep 2015; Charges were not immediately pressed at the time against Jimmy Snuka though the case was left officially open. All day Snuka claims that he returned to the hotel between TV shoots to check on Argentino. A nurse observed Snukas strange demeanor when he visited Argentinos room after she was admitted at Lehigh Valley Hospital Centers ER. ", Snukas defense attorney Robert Kirwin, who had motioned for the case to be closed once it had been determined in June 2016 that Snuka was mentally unfit to assist his defense, said, "It was time for there to be closure. Snuka told her to hurry up as she jumped across the grass onto the road she slipped and fell backwards and hit her head. In 1985: The Argentino family won a $500,000 wrongful-death civil lawsuit against Snuka but never received their money. There was enough to take it before a grand jury in 1983. New information has surfaced regarding the death of Nancy Argentino. (In his notes from a phone interview conducted with Bronstad and Deputy Alex Romanenko four days after Argentino was killed, Detective Gerald Procanyn describes the initial call from the motel in Salina as an attempted rape, but based on Bronstads interview with me, that appears to reflect the managers mistaken assumpion more than anything else.). It adds, Given the uncertainty of the situation, the Company also identified headcount reductions and made the decision to furlough a portion of its workforce effective immediately., It stated that the furlough of some employees is expected to be temporary in nature.. I think Vince Jr. picked me up from the hotel and took me there. Cynthia Porter, an officer in training, recalled in her affidavit that she could hear Argentino repeatedly cry No, no, dont do that! from outside the room right before Sergeant Peter Bronstad showed up as backup. Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2017 after his death, which actually contradicts those reports. I dont know what happened. It was attended by WWE CEO Vince McMahon, the Allentown Morning Call reported in 2013. The couple were even hatching plans to purchase a New Jersey townhouse together. Ultimately, you look at what he did in the ring, and its remarkable. The Death of Nancy Argentino (Podcast Episode 2019) photos, including production stills, premiere photos and other event photos, publicity photos, behind-the-scenes, and more. Picture made on Wednesday, October 7, 2015. All the pieces were there. We kind of expected it because there were so many ridiculous things going on with the defense. She went on to decry Snukas incompetency defense as "a total act. PHOTO GALLERY: The strange story of Jimmy Superfly Snuka and Nancy Argentino. Vice's Dark Side of the Ring took on the death of Nancy Argentino in anewepisode, which aired April 12. According to a criminal complaint, there are photos and notes of these injuries taken by Debbie Rogers, the wife of Snukas manager at the time, the legendary Nature Boy Buddy Rogers. In May of 1983, Nancy died as the result of serious head trauma. He was very protective, a showman, Steinberg said. Surrounded by family and his lawyer, former professional wrestler Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, right, arrives at Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown, Pa. on Friday, May, 13, 2016. She added that, in spite of Snuka being charged with a misdemeanor assault in the third degree for his attack on her, he never struck me or intentionally harmed me in any way on January 18, 1983 nor at any other time in the past. (The other charges leveled at Snuka were a felony assault count in the second degree and two more misdemeanors counts of resisting arrest and obstructing government administration.). Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka wrestles on September 4, 1995 in New Hampshire. With Sam Fatu, Valerie Franzen, Jim Garfield, Chris Jericho. That day, with Snukas lawyer, James Sparkes, acting as notary, she swore out an affidavit stating that she was in no way seeking prosecution against Snuka. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. A Pennsylvania grand jury will reopen and investigate the 31-year-old death of Nancy Argentino, who was then the girlfriend of WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. Nancy Argentino, in happier times. He filed for bankruptcy, and the family never got any restitution. In his 2012 memoir Superfly: The Jimmy Snuka Story the pro wrestler claims he showed respect to Argentinos parents. He argued Snukas head trauma had progressed to the point where he couldnt understand what was happening in a courtroom and commented that his private doctors detected memory impairment in him as early as 2010 and that Snuka might develop CTE in the future. Me, personallyif you ask me, Do you think Jimmy did it? No. As it would later transpire, the paragraph contradicts the complete, , which I obtained as part of the same civil case appendix mentioned earlier. He allegedly said she became lethargic and then unresponsive. I would never hurt any of them.. From excessive horseplay amongst them to a lovers quarrel where accidents happen, to her simply slipping and falling. If I was guilty of anything, it was cheating on my wife, and that was it Nancy was a good girl. He can be contacted by e-mail at jojst1@gmail.com. In another version Snuka said he called authorities straightaway. I felt bad about it brother. The investigators had help. Bronstad would add that Argentino complained of neck, head, back and hand injuries. Per a separate statement from Deputy Lawrence Witter, those were diagnosed as a bruised right thumb, contusion to the neck, possible fractured ribs and injury to the lower back., Snuka, in his ghostwritten memoir, brazenly claimed, We were drinking and having a good time when all of a sudden, the police burst into our room. He added, I dont know why they chose my room maybe mine was the first one they passed but they did. In point of fact, they were there because of a call from Thomas Donovan, the motels night manager. Dr. Mihalikis did not find any bruises, lacerations or other indications of a beating or prior injuries. The episode shineda renewed light about the mysterious death. I remember Vince McMahon being what Vince McMahon has always been very effusive. They beat me with their batons I never laid my hands on anyone, and I didnt see any naked women, aside from the one in my room., Snuka copped a guilty plea just to get it over with and adds, I did not assault Nancyshe was fine. All was swept under the wrestling mat in fact. The Salina City Court and several others in the surrounding area have been merged into a single district court location for the coronavirus pandemic, making it impossible to check the original court records, if they still exist. Though the records check from the Sheriffs Office matched the four known charges, the Certificate of Conviction from the court says he pled guilty to Assault 3rd while being sentenced to his one-year conditional discharge. To Snuka, Nancy Argentino was a willing mistress and he referred to her as his East Coast girlfriend. In his book the wrestler added that they were intimate. -. More. This was to prove that he was lucid. And he was an innovator, and he inspired so many people. Some outlets inexplicably found humor in it: The Associated Press wire story, for example, glosses over the underlying domestic violence, choosing to frame Snuka violently resisting arrest in joking terms like a pro wrestling match, using phrases such as the match was on and a nine-deputy tag-team. Local media wasnt much better, with a short Syracuse Post-Standard item running with the headline, Police, Dogs Win Round.. Oh, and hed donate $1,500 his alleged purse for his return to Syracuse that same day to Sheriff John Dillons favorite charity, the Ronald McDonald House. In October 1983, Debbie Rogers, the wife of Snukas manager, Buddy, took photos and notes of injuries to Sharon as a result of her beating by Snuka and her hospitalization, according to a criminal complaint. Also, to reinforce the aforementioned, Dr. Manish Fozdar, a Raleigh, North Carolina expert in Neuropsychiatry and forensic psychiatry, said, "There are no cause-effect relationships as Snukas defense attorney argued. He adds, "Sometimes being trapped with my thoughts can be more painful than any injury Ive suffered in the ring. big money for everything he had planned. As the docuseries points out, there was another passenger in the car with them who doesnt recall any fall. On top of that, according to her sisters, Nancy also had her own specific value to McMahon: With Snuka being illiterate and without a drivers license, McMahon needed a driver to get him to and from shows, but with his increasingly problematic drug use and erratic behavior, other wrestlers now refused to chauffeur him around. Indeed, the champion grappler gained infamy by soaring like human ammo. I met him, and he was the kindest man possible. 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