Openly gay wrestler Chris Kanyon dead in apparent suicide

Professional wrestler Chris Klucsaritis, better known by his stage name of Chris Kanyon, was found dead in his Queens apartment Friday night of an apparent suicide.

Official cause of death has not been determined, but initial reports say the wrestler was found with “with scores of pills near his body” in his Sunnyside apartment. Klucsaritis, 40, started his career with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) before moving to the WWE where he was one of the first openly gay wrestlers. He retired in 2004.

The WWE released a statement on their website expressing condolences to Klucsaritis’ friends and family:

“World Wrestling Entertainment would like to express its deepest condolences to Christopher Klucsaritis’ family and friends on his tragic passing.”

Police sources tell the New York Daily News that Chris Kanyon’s death is being investigated as a suicide.