----It seems like in the stream of deaths within in wrestling, Kronus has had the least coverage. Here is the docotor's report on him.
Wrestler's autopsy shows heart problem
By GEOFF CUNNINGHAM Jr.
A former pro wrestler who was found dead in an apartment on Blueberry Lane last month had a significantly enlarged heart, according to the State Medical Examiner.
Dr. Jennie Duval, the state's medical examiner, confirmed that George Caiazzo's heart was significantly enlarged at the time of his passing, but she said such a condition can be caused by a number of health complications, ranging from high blood pressure to a genetic problem.
Stacy Caiazzo, the estranged wife of George Caiazzo (who wrestled under the name of John Kronus) says she and the man's 9-year-old son, Gage, are still awaiting the results of toxicology tests, which could shed more light on the cause of death.
The medical examiner said she has so far not seen any evidence that would lead her to believe that medications or substances like steroids were a factor in his death.
Stacy Caiazzo, wife of the man who came to be known as wrestler "Kronus" during his time in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), said she never saw her husband take steroids during their 11 years together, but wondered if his death was simply a result of a family history of heart problems or a complication involving the mixing of prescription drugs that, she says, were administered by two doctors after repeated knee surgeries during the past year.
Stacy Caiazzo of Philadelphia is separated from her husband, but has stayed in close contact with him as he has made several trips to visit his son and call him.
Caiazzo said that, as the "next of kin," she was contacted by Duval after her husband's untimely death on July 18.
The wife said Duval informed her that testing could take four to six weeks to return a definite cause of death, but told her that Caiazzo's death is being linked to a heart problem.
"The medical examiner said his heart was double the size ... she said she has never seen anything like it," said Stacy Caiazzo, adding that such a condition could result in an electrical pulse suddenly causing his heart to stop.
Caiazzo's family has said heart problems do run in the family and they are awaiting word on what ultimately led to his death.
Stacy Caiazzo said she has received information from the State Medical Examiner's Office that shows that her husband could have been taking two prescription drugs that may have reacted negatively to one another, but Duval declined to comment on that issue.
Caiazzo said her husband had two knee surgeries in less than a year's time, with one coming in January and the second coming shortly before his death in July.
The man was found dead in his girlfriend's apartment at 57 Blueberry Place on Blueberry Lane, Laconia.
The 6-foot-3, 273-pound man had been out of wrestling for a number of years, but was best known for a pro wrestling career that paired him with Perry Saturn to form "The Eliminators" — a tag team duo that won several titles in the 1990s with the now-defunct ECW.
Stacy Caiazzo met her husband while attending an ECW event in Philadelphia in 1996 and hit it off with a man whom she described as the "funniest person" she had ever met.
The pair got married in August 1997 and Stacy Caiazzo spent years touring with her husband as he wrestled all over the United States and as far away as Japan.
The wife described Caiazzo as an extremely talented and athletic man who never needed steroids despite the fact that some of those around him were likely using such drugs.
"I wouldn't have tolerated it," said Caiazzo.
She said "Kronus" certainly did sustain many injuries during his time in the ECW wrestling circuit which was known for being extremely violent and she noted that the wrestlers would often injure themselves on purpose to create the blood and gore that fans wanted to see in the matches.
Caiazzo said accidental injuries were also common and said the life of a wrestler is not easy.
Stacy Caiazzo recalled one instance when she was eight-months pregnant when Kronus was seriously injured during a match in Boston. He failed to return to the ring to finish a show after smashing through a table. She said she was summoned to a rear room and found Kronus with serious cuts on his arms and a broken finger.
"He took a toll on himself with the wrestling," said Caiazzo, adding that she would plead with him that he was talented enough to entertain crowds without purposely drawing blood from himself to ramp up the shows.
Caiazzo said she was never aware of any serious drug problem involving her husband, but noted he did struggle to keep his weight down, as he was a huge man.
The mother said she and her son are continuing to struggle with his death and she noted that she is particularly concerned since her son has taken up wrestling as an interest.
"Now I have to worry because these are the footsteps my son wants to follow in. He is also athletically inclined and very talented ... he does backflips ... I don't even know how he does it," said Caiazzo.
"I am patiently waiting for a phone call. I have a nine-year-old son and, ... I want to know what's happening," said Caiazzo.
Credit: http://www.citizen.com
