Ric Flair mourns death of 24-year-old stepson from suicide

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Ric Flair’s stepson has taken his own life.

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The former WWE star is mourning the loss of Sebastian Kidder, the son of his estranged wife Wendy Barlow, after the 24-year-old musician died by suicide on Saturday.

Wendy confirmed the tragic news to TMZ.

She said: “I am devastated and shocked. This is an epidemic with your young men and mental health.”

According to the outlet, police are currently investigating after Sebastian passed away from a gunshot wound at the family’s home in Georgia.

He had shared his final social media post just hours before his death, posting a series of photos in which he could be seen holding a guitar in a recording studio.

Flair commented on the tragedy on Sunday night with a post on X.

“I Have Spent Hours Wondering What To Say,” he wrote. “After Hearing The News Of Sebastian’s Passing, I Can Only Imagine What Wendy & Paul Are Going Through Having Lost A Son Approximately The Same Age In 2013.

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“I Know The Pain Of Your Loss Will Be With You The Rest Of Your Life. I Still Every Day Of My Life Think About Reid As You Will Continue To Think About Sebastian. You Can’t Blame Yourselves As I Blamed Myself For Making Reid My Best Friend Instead Of Being A Good Parent. Sometimes We Get So Close To Our Kids, We Forget That They Need Us In So Many Different Ways.

“I’m So Thankful For The Time I Had With Sebastian. I Have So Many Great Memories & Bonding Time With Him As He Grew Up! He Stood Tall By His Mother Along With The Whole Family- Sophia, Paris, And Summer, While I Was Dying.

“He Was So Unselfish Sharing His Mother With Me As I Was Dying. And Also, At The Passing Of My Son Reid. He Was Multi-Talented & In Everybody’s Eyes A Huge Success And Will Always Be Remembered That Way.

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“I’m So Sorry! Wendy, Please Stay Strong & Don’t Let Anything Deter You From All Your Successful Endeavors You Have In Place In The Future. God Bless You Both! Rest In Peace Sebastian!”

Sebastian had appeared in a number of TV and film projects over the years and released his debut album, ‘Under The Moon’, under his first name.

Ric was supportive of the release and shared a clip of his stepson’s first music video on Instagram in June.

He wrote at the time: “Congratulations @sebastianonthemic On The Release Of Your First Music Video.”

Sebastian’s death comes just a few weeks after Ric and Wendy, 64, announced they were separating after 13 years together.

In an emotional statement on Instagram, Ric wrote: “Wendy and I enjoyed 13 great years. As with every couple, we have experienced our ups and downs.

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“I think it’s important for everyone to know right now that we have decided to part ways respectfully.”

The Nature Boy thanked Wendy – who he married in 2018 – for supporting him over the years, particularly during his “terrible” health crisis, which saw him placed in a medically-induced coma for 11 days after being diagnosed with the early stages of kidney failure and congestive heart failure due to years of alcohol abuse.

He continued: “I’ll never be able to thank her enough for standing by my side through my terrible health crisis in 2018. She never left my side! And for that I will always be grateful!

“We both are working on different projects at the current time and it becomes difficult with my schedule and her schedule to make this work.

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“I wish her the best of luck with her projects and I know that she supports mine.”

Wendy – who was Ric’s fifth wife after marriages to Leslie Goodman, Elizabeth Harrell, Tiffany VanDemark and Jaqueline Beems – first met the wrestling legend around 40 years ago when they both worked for World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

She even played his valet Fifi – a French maid character – at some events, and they started dating decades later.

They previously broke up in 2022, but reconciled a few months later.

Wendy also has three daughters from a previous relationship, while Ric is dad to David and Meghan from his marriage to Leslie and Charlotte with Elizabeth. He and his second wife also had a son named Reid, who died in 2013.

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