- Sebastian Kidder committed suicide at the age of 24 over the weekend
Ric Flair’s stepson sent a text message to his father minutes before taking his own life at the age of 24, it has been revealed.
Sebastian Kidder, the son of Flair’s ex-wife Wendy Barlow, committed suicide over the weekend. TMZ said he was discovered Saturday afternoon in Georgia with a gunshot wound.
On Monday, the reported output that Sebastian had contacted his father by text message around 4 p.m. before his death, as his father, Paul, initially told the Gwinnett County Police Department.
A spokesperson for the Gwinnett County Police Department told TMZ that Paul called 911 after receiving the text message, before his son was found deceased in his home.
Investigators also found an envelope with a note inside, police said, while a gun was also reportedly recovered at the scene.
Sebastian Kidder, stepson of WWE legend Ric Flair, committed suicide at age 24
Kidder is the son of Wendy Barlow, who was married to Flair before the couple recently separated.
Following Kidder’s death, which his mother confirmed to TMZ on Sunday, Flair shared an emotional statement on social media..
‘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.’
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 told TMZ she was “devastated and shocked” by the death. ‘This is an epidemic among its young people. And mental health.’
Last month, Flair and Wendy announced that they had separated after six years of marriage.
Regarding his relationship with Ric, Sebastian (who was a musician) 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 stepfather was very different, very unique.
Sebastian photographed alongside his stepfather Ric and mother Wendy, who confirmed his death.
Sebastian promoted his music during a television interview earlier this year on Fox5 Atlanta.
“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.’
Sebastian earlier this year released his first album titled ‘Under The Moon’.
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 also appeared on Fox5 Atlanta earlier this year to promote his album.
Wendy was Flair’s fifth wife after his previous marriages to Leslie Goodman, Elizabeth Harrell, Tiffany VanDemark and Jaqueline Beems.