Ric Flair’s stepson has taken his own life.
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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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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