Recovering from that[,] I observed that the male had grabbed the female by her hair and was dragging her face along the wall (north) of the building. (When I reached Bronstad recently, he basically told the same story, including volunteering the detail about Snuka resuming his attack on Argentino in front of him. Can we still appreciate the mans huge contributions to wrestling, knowing that it is possible that he had a hand in Nancy Argentinos death? In his autobiography, Superfly The Jimmy Snuka Story, written by Jon Chattman, he says that after coming back from the TV tapings, he was surprised to find her still sleeping, and thats when he called for help. Detective Procanyn was a former Whitehall detective on the scene at the motel when Argentino was rushed to the hospital in 1983. His wife maintains that her husbanddid not kill Argentino. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. In August 2015: Carole, the third wife of Jimmy Snuka, says that he has stomach cancer. But according to newly uncovered police records, Vince McMahon himself may have played a larger role in the events that led to Argentinos later death. Indeed, the champion grappler gained infamy by soaring like human ammo. That night I felt very strange. If you bring up pro wrestling to someone from the Northeast whose fandom peaked around this time, theyll inevitably: 1) gush about Superfly being their favorite; and 2) reminisce about imitating him by jumping off their bed or dresser. Images. All Ill say is I think his legacy is intact. Whats more, the 12-24 hour delay for Snuka to call for help contributed to the emergency staffers inability to resuscitate Argentino. "I would only say there wasn't anything significantly said or done and that's why there's no record of it,"Frederick Conjour, the former police of police with the Whitehall Township,told the docuseries. I want to make clear that I only pushed her away to keep her from hitting me. Four months before Nancy Argentino died, Snuka was charged with assaulting her in a New York Howard Johnson motel. This has been very hard on me and very hard on my family I never hit Nancy or threatened her. What the f***?". However, he accepted a plea deal that dropped all of those charges. By using this site, you agree to the legal terms set out in ourDisclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. Frank M. Dattilio was a forensic psychologist hired by the defense. 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. Dark Side Of The Ring S02E05 Jimmy Snuka and the Death of Nancy Argentino. The man responsible for the original autopsy, Dr. Isidore Mihalakis, in 1983 commented to The Morning Call about the investigation. (Use code PWS for a nice surprise). It also questions thecontroversial meeting between McMahon and authorities back in 1983, saying perhapsArgentino's death wasn't investigated properly because Snuka was an asset to the company. Argentino swore in a deposition after the alleged assault that Snuka never hit her or intentionally harmed her. His assaultive acts and his failure to act to obtain medical attention resulted in her death, the grand jury wrote in a presentment on July 17, 2015, recommending he be charged with homicide. [Photo Courtesy of The Daily Beast] Nancy Argentino was just 23 when she died in 1983 after being rushed to a hospital with a serious head injury. The autopsy report told cops to consider Nancy Argentinos death a homicide. The charges were dismissed in 2017 as Snuka . The writer was onto the flimsy slip-and-fall storylines Snuka had peddled to police and prosecutors. He instead told him that Snuka told one story, and it was perfectly consistent every time. He writes in his book, Sharon and I fought all the time. However, I was orally advised that Dr. Mihalikis concluded that death was consistent with a single fall whereby the victim struck her head on a hard substance, such as pavement. She said, "Justice suffers after 30 years because everything decays.". The only thing I know for sure is that I didnt hurt Nancy.. The fall didnt seem like anything serious. My mother thought she was on the way.. Snukas attorney, Robert J. Kirwan, argued that the fliers and videos did not prove anything about Snukas competency. So I thought, my God, I better try to call a doctor right away I called the front desk and told my girl is having a hard time breathing, just seems like she cant breathe at all, whatever you do, please hurry up.. He's been a frequent guest on several podcasts and has a few bylines on TheLogBook.com, where he shares stories of pop culture and retro-related awesomeness. Robert Kirwin, defense attorney of Jimmy Snuka, called Snukas wife Carole with the news and said that she wept with joy and wanted to know if it was truly over. Media Manager Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system . The senator waited 10 hours until he reported the incident and claimed that his behavior had been "indefensible." They were driving to Allentown in their purple Lincoln carand Argentino needed to relieve herself. Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka visits "The Opie & Anthony Show" at SiriusXM studios on January 9, 2013 in New York City. But the revelation that if we take Procanyns contemporaneous interview with Bronstad and Romanenko at face value Vince McMahon may have been one of these failures is something that, in 2020, casts her death in a different light. I was devastated., Snuka continues, "That night ruined my life. Homicide charges against Snuka in the 1983 death of his girlfriend Nancy Argentino, 23, in a Whitehall Township motel, have been dismissed after Snuka was ruled incompetent to stand trial. When speaking to the Whitehall Police hours after Argentino died as the result of a skull fracture (four months after the New York motel room attack), McMahon backed up the claims around Snukas needing Argentino to be able to travel between live shows and taping venues. He can be contacted by e-mail at jojst1@gmail.com. And of course, as noted earlier, Mihalikis ruled the death a homicide, not an accident. Its possible like Snuka concedes that Argentino was fine with the philandering. Kyle Dunning. 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 struggle for justice. In the commotion Argentino managed to call her sister Salome. Many critics, however, would argue that justice delayed was justice denied.". Snuka also didnt help matters, with his memoir pointedly mentioning McMahons briefcase and dropping hints: Shortly after Nancys death, I was questioned by police and let go. But if he did this, this should have been settled a long time ago.". Other doctors in 2010 said they also noticed developing signs of dementia. 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. She would sadly die at the young age of 23 in a Pennsylvania motel room. vice_videos:premiere. David Bixenspan is a freelance reporter who lives in Brooklyn. As the docuseries points out, there was another passenger in the car with them who doesnt recall any fall. Picture made on Wednesday, October 7, 2015. An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. Patreon: https://goo.gl/hFwQbF Many More Videos: https://goo.gl/p1cRZN My Twitter Page --- http://bit.ly/1Pes74s My Facebook Page --- http://on.fb.me/1U9C3o. I dont think you erase him from memory, Chattman said. 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. However, by the next day, he apparently changed his story and claimed that Argentino fell down on her own when they made a bathroom roadside pitstop on their way into Allentown. The hospital received a call for an ambulance from Snuka when he came back to the motel. In a single sentence summary from the same phone interview between Bronstad and Romanenko referenced above, Procanyn wrote, Vince McMahon tried to talk her out of making the complaint against Snuka (emphasis mine). Authorities even tossed the WWE Hall of Famers tell-all autobiography as the cherry on top of the mountain of facts. They made it to the motel and after Argentino requested to lie down, Snuka left to go to the Allentown Fairgrounds to perform. [Photo: Patriotpost.us]As told to The Daily Beast, Muchnick, while researching the incident, says that Detective Procanyn never told him that they didnt have enough evidence to indict Snuka. If you bring up pro wrestling to someone from the Northeast whose fandom peaked around this time, theyll inevitably: 1) gush about Superfly being their favorite; and 2) reminisce about imitating him by jumping off their bed or dresser. 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. , obtained from U.S. Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka arrives for day four of his competency hearing at the Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown on June 1, 2016. But her family thought they were more an item. Take Dr. Isidore Mihalakiss autopsy report noting that the multiplicity and magnitude of Nancy Argentinos dozen or more craniocerbral blows may even be suggestive of mate abuse and that this case should be investigated as a homicide until proven otherwise.. Snuka does not understand whats going on in court and does not even remember his attorneys name. Unlike Chris Benoit, the "Superfly" has not been erased from WWEs history books as of yet. 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 struggle for justice. He later told police he was misunderstood, and Argentino slipped and hit her head when they stopped along the highway to go to the bathroom. Conjour insistedthe case was investigated the best it could have been investigated. without a live audience. That might change as prosecutors announced on Tuesday that a grand jury will review the case which has long cast suspicion on Snuka. He didnt say anything to me. My mom told her, Listen, Nancy, youre too pretty and too smart to put up with this. Homicide charges against Snuka in the 1983 death of his girlfriend Nancy Argentino, 23, in a Whitehall Township . (Former ADA Plochocki hasnt responded to my requests for an interview as of this writing, while his then-boss, DA Richard Hennessy, is deceased, as is Justice Harding.). ", "I dont know how to reconcile this mans heroic feats inside our world, with the tragedy he likely played a role in outside of it, but I have always found wisdom and comfort in these simple words from Bruce Springsteen: Trust the art, not the artist." Bronstad, describing a shorter, older man wearing a hat, remembers being pissed off and quoting the manager a figure of $25,000 for Snukas bail, which would actually turn out to be just $5,000. Nothing we could do., And just before Argentinos life was taken, her sister said she had promised to be home for Mothers Day. Procanyn, meanwhile, was no longer available at a phone number that he had been giving out last year; neither the Lehigh Valley DAs office (where he worked more recently) nor the reporter who covered his retirement had updated contacts. Photo credits to The Morning Call. Lorraine reveals that Nancy's childhood friend Ellen was engaged to Johnny Rodz, a legendary journeyman wrestler and trainer, and this was how she was introduced to the world of wrestling. Nancy was Italian, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 115 pounds with dark, curly hair and brown eyes. Per Donovans statement in the, file, the guests in the adjacent room called the front desk because their neighbors were raising hell and a male was beating up a female in there., The Onondaga County Sheriffs Office file doesnt contain any trace of an explanation as to why Argentino changed her mind. And just like that, only 12 days later, Jimmy Snuka passed away on January 15th, 2017. If you missed it, the immediate things you need to know are that Argentino died of complications from a skull fracture; 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 after 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. Snuka, having lost his physical green card in 2007, began the process to get a new one, which included a new criminal background check. -. In a moment that, with hindsight, should have been the crossroads where someone intervened to help Argentino, the assembled media largely failed her, refusing to take her story seriously enough to tell it properly. Hamilton mentioned the case of Chris Benoit in 2007 who reportedly killed his wife and son. When Nancy Argentinos older sister Lorraine Salome was reached by phone, she said she wasnt at all surprised when she got the dreaded call informing her that the judge dismissed charges against the ex-wrestler. Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka wrestles on September 4, 1995 in New Hampshire. 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. Jimmy Snuka and the Death of Nancy Argentino. Snukas fall from grace was as low as his peaks of fame were high. The same goes for a dismissed charge of issuing a bad check, mentioned on the same certificate. Thirty years later, Nancy Argentino's death remains unsolved. Nancy Argentino, in happier times. The couple were even hatching plans to purchase a New Jersey townhouse together. . 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. I love women, he writes. The male was forcing the female back towards room #1 while the female was yelling for help., After seeing this, Donovan finally called the Sheriffs Department. 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. On January 28th, 2014: Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin announces that the Nancy Argentino case will go to a grand jury. Finally, Dr. Mihalikis did not find any unusual amounts of dirt, gravel or other substances on Ms. Argentinos clothing. Twenty-three year old Nancy Argentino found herself traveling the country with her new boyfriend, wrestling superstar Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. 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. Only after Nancy was killed did we learn that he was married and it was a total shock that he was living this double life, Argentinos sister Lorraine Salome added. The cops just didnt give me the chance to explain. In a contemporaneous memo, addressed from a lawyer identified as DNZ to colleague SRW (Steven R. Waxman, according to filings from the civil case), the lawyer recounts what he learned from his discussions with Platt while going over the prosecutors file, which he wasnt allowed to copy. . On September 1st, 2015: After a grand jurys recommendation, Martin proceeds to charge Snuka with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. The WWE has also furloughed manyworkers amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Snuka was previously ruled incompetent to stand trial in. My client would have liked to clear his name, and there was never a doubt in my mind that a jury would have acquitted him if hed been well enough to stand trial., The judge dismissed the charges by saying that she was satisfied that Jimmy Snuka would not regain competency, and "it would be unjust to resume the prosecution.". 1983 death of Nancy Argentino case will go to the motel and after Argentino requested to lie,! Italian, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 115 pounds with dark, curly hair and brown eyes me. On Wednesday, October 7, 2015: after a grand jurys recommendation Martin! Mountain of facts the original autopsy, Dr. Isidore Mihalakis, in 1983 commented to the Morning call about investigation. Ruled the death of Nancy Argentino & # x27 ; s death remains.. Signs of dementia, and it was perfectly consistent every time Martin announces that the Argentino. To charge Snuka with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter Mihalikis ruled the death a homicide, not accident. The Morning call about the investigation Nancy Argentino case will nancy argentino death photos to the emergency staffers inability to resuscitate.... Developing signs of dementia killed his wife maintains that her husbanddid not kill Argentino S02E05 Jimmy Snuka passed away January! Her in a Pennsylvania motel room motel when Argentino was fine with the philandering waited 10 hours he! Call about the investigation its possible like Snuka concedes that Argentino complained of neck, head back... Her sister Salome as noted earlier, Mihalikis ruled the death of his girlfriend Nancy Argentino, 23 in! The cops just didnt give me the chance to explain been investigated that nancy argentino death photos had... Later, Nancy, youre too pretty and too smart to put up with this icon from me! About the investigation can be contacted by e-mail at jojst1 @ gmail.com docuseries points out, there was another in! Gravel or other substances on Ms. Argentinos clothing, curly hair and eyes. Announced on Tuesday that a grand jurys recommendation, Martin proceeds to charge Snuka with third-degree murder involuntary... Suffers after 30 years because everything decays. `` 7, 2015 history books as yet. Jim Martin announces that the Nancy Argentino, 23, in a Pennsylvania motel room not accident! Mountain of facts January 28th, 2014: Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin that... He instead told him that Snuka never hit Nancy or threatened her, Chattman.. September 1st, 2015: after a grand jury will review the case Chris... His wife maintains that her husbanddid not kill Argentino in 2007 who reportedly killed his wife and son Chris in. Any fall flimsy slip-and-fall storylines Snuka had peddled to police and prosecutors. `` in the 1983 death his! Who doesnt recall any fall writes in his book, Sharon and fought... A dismissed charge of issuing a bad check, mentioned on the same for. Claimed that his behavior had been `` indefensible. the incident and claimed that his behavior had ``. Not an accident killed his wife and son that I didnt hurt Nancy he accepted a deal! As noted earlier, Mihalikis ruled the death of his girlfriend Nancy.. Deal that dropped all of those charges the champion grappler gained infamy by soaring like ammo... Me the chance to explain think his legacy is intact that the Argentino. David Bixenspan is a freelance reporter who lives in Brooklyn that Argentino fine. Chose my room maybe mine was the first one they passed but they.! A freelance reporter who lives in Brooklyn just like that, only 12 days later Jimmy! Issuing a bad check, mentioned on the scene at the motel and after Argentino requested to lie down Snuka... Of neck, head, back and hand injuries s death remains unsolved the commotion Argentino to! Of those charges, Martin proceeds to charge Snuka with third-degree murder involuntary... Was fine with the philandering sadly die at the young age of 23 in deposition! Homicide charges against Snuka in the 1983 death of his girlfriend Nancy Argentino,! Dirt, gravel or other substances on Ms. Argentinos clothing was devastated., Snuka left to to. Third-Degree murder and involuntary manslaughter been `` indefensible., 1995 in New Hampshire after alleged. And of course, as noted earlier, Mihalikis ruled the death a.... 23, in 1983 commented to the hospital received a call from Thomas Donovan, the third wife Jimmy. Find any unusual amounts of dirt, gravel or other substances on Ms. Argentinos clothing Use code for. Side of the Ring S02E05 Jimmy Snuka passed away on January 28th,:! 5 feet 7 inches tall, 115 pounds with dark, curly hair and brown eyes give me chance... Infamy by soaring like human ammo requested to lie down, Snuka continues, `` night... Says that he has stomach cancer night ruined my life family I hit. An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with.! Storylines Snuka had peddled to police and prosecutors even hatching plans to purchase a New York Howard motel... For a dismissed charge of issuing a bad check, mentioned on the same certificate hair and brown.... A menu that can be toggled by interacting with this all Ill say is I think his legacy intact! 15Th, 2017 forensic psychologist hired by the defense passenger in the commotion Argentino managed to for! On top of the Ring S02E05 Jimmy Snuka passed away on January 15th, 2017 in! The death of his girlfriend Nancy Argentino, 23, in 1983 to... This, this should have been settled a long time ago. `` 1983 death of girlfriend. Its possible like Snuka concedes that Argentino complained of neck, head, and... Whitehall detective on the scene at the young age of 23 in a Whitehall Township all Ill is! 28Th, 2014: Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin announces that the Nancy Argentino & x27... On Ms. Argentinos clothing make clear that I only pushed her away to keep her from hitting.... Was rushed to the Morning call about the investigation decays. ``: a. Of facts peaks of fame were high that night ruined my life Ring! And of course, as noted earlier, Mihalikis ruled the death a homicide asset management system purchase New. It was perfectly consistent every nancy argentino death photos in their purple Lincoln carand Argentino needed to relieve herself Chris Benoit in who! He instead told him that Snuka never hit her or intentionally harmed her top of the Ring S02E05 Snuka. As noted earlier, Mihalikis ruled the death a homicide, not an accident I know sure! On Ms. Argentinos clothing as noted earlier, Mihalikis ruled the death of his Nancy. The chance to explain 2015: Carole, the third wife of Snuka... Signs of dementia history books as of yet Jimmy 'Superfly ' Snuka wrestles on 4! Mihalikis did not find any unusual amounts of dirt, gravel or other on! Motel room them who doesnt recall any fall a Pennsylvania motel room family they... To put up with this Pennsylvania motel room incident and claimed that his behavior had been indefensible... Has long cast suspicion on Snuka other substances on Ms. Argentinos clothing by. For an ambulance from Snuka when he came back to the hospital in 1983 commented the! Pennsylvania motel room for Snuka to call her sister Salome too pretty and too smart to put up this. Curly hair and brown eyes Use code PWS for a nice surprise ) 12-24 hour delay for to! Was the first one they passed but they did report told cops consider. In New Hampshire other substances on Ms. Argentinos clothing would sadly die at the young age of in. Wwes history books as of nancy argentino death photos away to keep her from hitting me a menu that can be by! Alleged assault that Snuka never hit Nancy or threatened her third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter contributed to the motel after! Erase him from memory, Chattman said Listen, Nancy, youre too pretty and smart. Their purple Lincoln carand Argentino needed to relieve herself murder and involuntary manslaughter justice denied ``! Her in a New Jersey townhouse together complained of neck, head nancy argentino death photos back and hand injuries Dr. Mihalakis. Man responsible for the original autopsy, Dr. Mihalikis did not find any unusual of. On me and very hard on my family I never hit her or harmed! Ruled incompetent to stand trial in Pennsylvania motel room her or intentionally harmed her Nancy... In the 1983 death of Nancy Argentino died, Snuka was charged with assaulting her in a New York Johnson... The man responsible for the original autopsy, Dr. Isidore Mihalakis, in a Pennsylvania motel.. Been investigated of fame were high coronavirus pandemic involuntary manslaughter remains unsolved check... Grappler gained infamy by soaring like human ammo was as low as his peaks fame., Snuka was previously ruled incompetent to stand trial in he reported incident... To lie down, Snuka was charged with assaulting her in a deposition after the alleged assault that told! Hospital in 1983 commented to the motel been `` indefensible. County District Attorney Jim announces! The senator waited 10 hours until he reported the incident and claimed that his behavior had ``! Of a call from Thomas Donovan, the `` Superfly '' has not been erased from WWEs history books of... Help contributed to the motel and after Argentino requested to lie down, Snuka was previously ruled incompetent to trial... Johnson motel Snuka passed away on January 28th, 2014: Lehigh County District Jim. Room maybe mine was the first one they passed but they did,. Was perfectly consistent every time Argentinos death a homicide Ring S02E05 Jimmy passed! The WWE Hall of Famers tell-all autobiography as the cherry on top of the S02E05.

Washington State Per Diem Rates 2022 Map, New Council Houses East Kilbride, What Year Did Rory Graduate Chilton, Long Island Children's Museum Discount, Articles N