Wrestling icon Ric Flair shared an emotional statement following the death of his stepson Sebastian Kidder on Sunday.
Sebastian took his own life over the weekend at the age of 24 along with his mother, Wendy Barlow, confirming his heartbreaking death on Sunday.
Following the tragic news, the 75-year-old WWE Hall of Famer broke his silence Sunday night in a sad statement.
‘I’ve spent hours wondering what to say. “After hearing the news of Sebastian’s passing, I can only imagine what Wendy and Paul are going through after losing a son around the same age in 2013,” Flair wrote in part of a post.
‘I am very grateful for the time I spent with Sebastian. I have so many good memories and bonding moments with him growing up!’ he wrote later. ‘He stood by his mother along with the whole family – Sophia, Paris and Summer – while I lay dying. He was so selfless in sharing his mother with me as I lay dying. And also, for the death of my son Reid. He was multi-talented and in everyone’s eyes he was a huge success and will always be remembered that way.’
Sebastian Kidder, stepson of WWE legend Ric Flair, committed suicide at age 24
The 75-year-old WWE Hall of Famer broke his silence in an emotional statement Sunday night.
Flair added a touching message for Sebastian’s mother, Wendy, as she continued to pay tribute to her stepson.
”Very sorry! Wendy, stay strong and don’t let anything stop you from all the successful endeavors you have underway in the future. God bless you both! Rest in peace Sebastian,” he wrote.
Wendy had confirmed Sebastian’s death to TMZ Sports and said, “I’m devastated and shocked.” This is an epidemic among your young people. And mental health.’
Sebastian was discovered Saturday afternoon in Georgia with a gunshot wound, and police are investigating, according to TMZ.
He posed on his Instagram on Saturday, sharing a selfie and a photo of himself posing with his guitar.
“There are no words to express the pain I feel over the loss of my baby @sebastianonthemic,” his mother, Wendy, shared on Instagram Sunday afternoon. ‘Mommy loves you.’
Last month, Flair and Wendy announced that they had separated after six years of marriage.
Sebastian was a musician and earlier this year he released his first album titled ‘Under The Moon’.
Sebastian photographed alongside his stepfather Ric and mother Wendy, who confirmed his death.
Sebastian shared a photo of himself with his guitar on social media on Saturday.
Flair himself tweeted about his pride at Sebastian’s first big release, writing on X: ‘Congratulations on the release of your first album: Under The Moon! I am very proud of you! WOOOOOO! Available on all streaming platforms!
Sebastian appeared on Fox5 Atlanta earlier this year to promote his album and said, “Actually, the core of the album is very full of romance.” Very identifiable.”
He explained that his mother was behind his music career after hearing him sing a song for a girl he wanted to impress.
“I shot the cover and didn’t think anything of it, but my mom got hold of it and started sending it to people. You get traction and you move forward with it,” he said.
Regarding his relationship with Ric, Sebastian said: “I’m sure there’s a lot of advice (on how to handle fame). That’s the interesting thing, growing up with Ric as a stepdad was very different, very unique.
“You go to a family meal and you are surrounded by fans, people who come up and want photos. You’re already exposed to it from a young age.
‘What kid is Post Malone coming to dinner with the family? Darius Rucker stopped by once with his big tour bus. It was crazy.’
Flair, one of the most iconic wrestlers of all time, and Wendy, a retired All-American professional tennis player, broke up once before in 2022, only to reconcile a few months later.
WWE icon Flair recently announced that he had separated from his wife Wendy (left), Sebastian’s mother.
Sebastian photographed during a television interview about his career earlier this year.
“Wendy and I enjoyed 13 great years,” Flair wrote in a statement. ‘As with all couples, we have experienced our ups and downs. (But) I think it’s important for everyone to know right now that we have decided to respectfully separate.
‘I will never be able to thank her enough for being by my side during my terrible health crisis in 2018. She never left my side! And for that I will always be grateful!
‘We are both working on different projects at the moment and it’s getting difficult with my schedule and hers to make this work.
“I wish her the best of luck with her projects and I know she supports mine.”
Wendy was Flair’s fifth wife after his previous marriages to Leslie Goodman, Elizabeth Harrell, Tiffany VanDemark and Jaqueline Beems.