CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — Wrestling star Hulk Hogan's death last week was caused by a heart attack, according to multiple reports.
The District Six Medical Examiner's Office, which covers both Pinellas and Pasco counties in Florida, described the death as natural.
A pathologist also noted the WWE superstar had a history of "atrial fibrillation" — an irregular heartbeat in the upper chambers of the heart — as well as leukemia before his death, NBC News and the Associated Press reported Thursday.
Clearwater police were called to Hogan's house on July 24 after he reportedly suffered cardiac arrest. The 71-year-old, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was taken to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m.
Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector described Hogan in a statement as “an inspiration to our entire Clearwater community and millions around the world.”
Hogan's wife, Sky Daily Hogan, said she was shocked by his death, explaining that she was hopeful he would recover after a recent health scare.
"This loss is sudden and impossible to process,” she wrote. “To the world, he was a legend… but to me, he was my Terry. The man I loved. My partner. My heart.”
Hogan was perhaps the biggest star in WWE’s long history, known for both his larger-than-life personality and his in-ring exploits. He was the main draw for the first WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and even WWE co-founder Vince McMahon.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.