Gaspard went missing near the popular California beach. Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

LAPD still searching for former WWE star Shad Gaspard off Venice Beach

By Zac Wassink | Last updated May 19, 2020 4:00 PM ET

The Los Angeles Police Department hasn't yet suspended its search for former WWE superstar Shad Gaspard, who went missing while swimming near Venice Beach with his 10-year-old son on Sunday.

On Tuesday, Tyler McCarthy of Fox News reported the LAPD hadn't yet given up hope of finding the 39-year-old pro wrestler despite reports from outlets such as TMZ Sports that the United States Coast Guard had ended its search.

According to TMZ, the former member of the WWE tag team Cryme Tyme, his son and other swimmers were caught in a riptide on Sunday afternoon. Gaspard directed rescuers to help his son first, which they did. However, Gaspard sank into the water before anybody reached him, according to the report.

Siliana Gaspard, Shad's wife, released an official statement via Instagram on Tuesday afternoon:

View this post on Instagram

We would like to express our gratitude to the first responders who rescued Aryeh and to the lifeguards, coast guard, divers, fire and police departments for their continued efforts to help find our beloved Shad. . . Shad is a fighter, a warrior and a magical soul. We are hoping and praying for his safe return. As a family we thank you all for your concern and well wishes. Please continue to keep sending your positivity and prayers to our beloved Shad. . . From The Entire Gaspard & Chittick Family

A post shared by Siliana Gaspard (@silianagaspard) on May 19, 2020 at 10:48am PDT

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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