Pro-wrestler Kurtis ‘Mad Kurt’ Chapman ‘took own life in hotel room just days after spending Christmas with his family’
A “GIFTED” pro-wrestler took his own life in a hotel room just days after spending Christmas with his family, an inquest heard.
Kurtis Chapman, 26, was found dead by staff at the Ibis in Portsmouth, Hampshire, on December 28, 2023.
Coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp ruled the sportsman – known as “Mad Kurt” – took his own life.
The court heard Kurtis had paused his work as a wrestler but had organised a contest in the near future.
He had also recently rekindled his relationship with his childhood sweetheart.
Mum Leah Chapman told the inquest: “Kurtis was a wrestler who performed across the country, this was the big passion of his.”
She said her son was left “heartbroken” when he stopped wrestling but had taken up climbing as a hobby.
Leah also told the court that Kurtis had spent Christmas with the family and they had enjoyed “a few laughs” playing games together.
The mum added: “I have no idea why he did this.”
The inquest heard Kurtis had small amounts of alcohol and ketamine in his system but these would not have contributed to his death.
He also enjoyed gambling but had saved some of his winnings and was not in debt, it was said.
Ms Rhodes-Kemp said at the time of his death, Kurtis’ wrestling career “seemed to be back in place” and he no “financial concerns”.
The coroner also told the hearing he had just “spent a nice Christmas with family and appeared to be behaving normally without concern.”
She added: “For whatever reason, he didn’t go to friends or his girlfriend’s on Boxing Day, he went from his family to the Ibis, booked himself in and he killed himself.
“I think it’s a complete and utter mystery as to why he did it.
“In order to reach a conclusion of suicide I have to be able to be sure that first of all the person took their own life and second that it’s more likely than not it was their intention to do so.
“I can comfortably conclude that he took his own life and intended to do so, I just wish he hadn’t.”
Born in Portsmouth, Kurtis started wrestling as a teenager in 2014.
He competed in RevPro, Progress, IPW, and many other minor promotions.
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It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
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If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
Kurtis was a former RevPro British Cruiserweight Champion, holding the belt for six months back in 2018.
Following the tragedy, Revolution Pro Wrestling said they were “absolutely heartbroken” by the death of their “dear friend”.
It added: “We watched Kurtis grow from a child to a young man who loved professional wrestling and continued to excel in all aspects of his life.
“One of the most gifted technical wrestlers, charismatic characters and magnetic personalities. He will never be forgotten.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.