Hulk Hogan Death: First Responders Spent 30 Minutes Attempting to Revive the WWE Star (Exclusive Details)
First responders spent 30 minutes attempting to revive Hulk Hogan before taking the WWE star to the hospital, where he died at age 71.
According to dispatch audio obtained and reviewed by PEOPLE, the Clearwater Fire Department and Clearwater Police Department were called to Hogan's home at 9:51 a.m. local time on Thursday, July 24.
First responders began performing CPR on Hogan, and according to the audio, CPR was still "in progress" at 10:28 a.m. as medics were "working on getting him out to the ambulance."
Hogan was transported to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was declared dead, according to a report from the Clearwater Fire Department.
Police said in a press conference held on Thursday afternoon that they are currently conducting an investigation into Hogan's death, calling it "standard" procedure. The department said "there is no foul play and no suspicious activity being investigated at this time."
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TMZ was first to report Hogan's death. Shortly after, the WWE confirmed the news to PEOPLE in a statement.
"WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," they said. "One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans."
Stars like John Cena, Ric Flair and Triple H shared tributes to the late WWE icon on Thursday. "WWE would not be where it is today without the larger-than-life characters that compete in the ring … and few, if any, loomed larger than Terry 'Hulk Hogan' Bollea," Triple H wrote in a post on X.
Flair, 76, recalled that Hogan "was always there for me even when I didn't ask for him to be," and said "no one can compare" to his late friend.
While widely celebrated for his wrestling accomplishments, Hogan also faced multiple controversies in recent years. He received backlash for his speech in support of President Donald Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention, and after a racist rant leaked in 2015 — which he later called "unacceptable" in an apology — Hogan was removed from WWE's Hall of Fame. Hogan also sued Gawker for $100 million, backed by billionaire Peter Thiel, over a leaked 2012 sex tape and settled for $31 million in 2016.
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