Shad Gaspard’s tag team partner JTG is ‘numb’ and ‘shaken up’ after WWE star disappeared at sea
SHAD Gaspard's former tag team partner has been left "numb" and "shaken up" after the ex-WWE star tragically disappeared while out swimming, The Sun can reveal.
The wrestler, 39, who was part of the Cryme Tyme tag team with Jayson Anthony Paul, known as JTG, is feared dead after he was pulled out to sea by a strong rip current on Sunday afternoon.
The news has left those close to the star heartbroken, along with fans around the world.
Jayson's mother, Carol Paul, told The Sun: "He [Jayson] can't even talk, he's numb. He spent half of his life with him, in wrestling, they call each other brothers, so he's really shaken up.
"They wrestled together, they traveled together, they worked out together, they did almost everything together. I was trying to tell Jayson there may be hope [of finding him alive], but that second wave..."
Carol says she's barely spoken to her 35-year-old son since the news broke as he spends time trying to process the tragedy along with Shad's other friends and close family members.
"I used to go to all of the wrestling matches, Shad is like a second son to me, he is like a big teddy bear," she added.
"I never met his wife or son, oh gosh, I really don't know what to say [to them], I'm speechless, I can't even think right."
Jayson shared a screenshot of a heartbreaking text exchange in January, just four months before his disappearance, with the ex-WWE star telling him: "If ever I die tomorrow just know I Love you as a brother and friend for ever, even past this life."
He responded to the touching message, writing back: "Love you too brotha."
Shad disappeared while swimming at Venice Beach in California with his 10-year-old son and a group of others who were caught in a rip current around 4pm, according to reports.
The dad-of-one allegedly told lifeguards to save his boy first, who was reportedly pulled out of the water unharmed and did not require any hospital treatment.
But in their attempts to save Shad, the rip current pulled him out to sea and he has not been seen despite hours of searching by the US Coast Guard's helicopters and divers.
His panicked wife, Siliana, posted a photograph of his last moments on the beach this weekend on Instagram Story, appealing for help to find her missing husband.
Shad's family released a statement on Tuesday morning, saying: "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. The Gaspard Family."
Although officially the search is never given up until they find a body, the status of the case will now be downgraded, says Wrestling News Source.
Pono Barnes, a lifeguard specialist with the Los Angeles Fire Department, said: "That group was stuck in one of the rip currents and were swimming just north of the lifeguard tower.
"That's why lifeguards were able to get there so soon, but unfortunately, one did, however, submerge."
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