BCWWF
02-19-2009, 02:36 PM
Verne Gagne, 82, and Helmut Gutmann both were residents at the memory loss section of a health-care facility in Bloomington. Police are investigating.
By PAUL WALSH (http://www.startribune.com/bios/10646171.html), Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/local/39839282.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUycaEacyU
Minnesota pro wrestling legend Verne Gagne had an altercation with a fellow resident of a Bloomington health care facility, leading to the man's death, a relative said today.
The incident between Gagne and Helmut Gutmann, 97, occurred Jan. 26 at the memory loss section of Friendship Village, said Ruth Hennig, a daughter of Gutmann.
Gutmann, who immigrated to the United States in 1936 as the Nazi threat grew, suffered a broken right hip and died Feb. 14.
"No one knows" what led to the altercation, said Hennig, in a telephone interview this morning from Boston. "I don't think anyone was present when it began ... or even if anything precipitated it."
She said that because of her father's dementia, he had "no memory at all" of his clash with Gagne and "didn't understand why his hip hurt."
The arrangers for her father's cremation, Hennig said, has told the family that Gutmann's death has been ruled "accidental." However, medical examiner's office investigator Mike Opitz said that a cause of death "hasn't been officially certified." State health officials, who regulate facilities such as Friendship Village, said they are unable to comment, citing data restrictions.
Police are investigating the death and trying to determine whether to recommend charges to the Hennepin County attorney's office, said Deputy Chief Perry Heles.
Hennig said her family has yet to discuss whether they want Gagne prosecuted. "We're still dealing with the death on an emotional level," she said. "My mother [Betty] is pretty upset."
Hennig added that the two men had clashed previously. "I don't really know any details, but obviously it was not as severe as this," she said.
Hennig said her father "came through the surgery just fine" and was receiving physical therapy. However, early last week "he just stopped taking any sustenance at all. ... He stopped eating and drinking" in what his daughter believes was his decision.
By PAUL WALSH (http://www.startribune.com/bios/10646171.html), Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/local/39839282.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUycaEacyU
Minnesota pro wrestling legend Verne Gagne had an altercation with a fellow resident of a Bloomington health care facility, leading to the man's death, a relative said today.
The incident between Gagne and Helmut Gutmann, 97, occurred Jan. 26 at the memory loss section of Friendship Village, said Ruth Hennig, a daughter of Gutmann.
Gutmann, who immigrated to the United States in 1936 as the Nazi threat grew, suffered a broken right hip and died Feb. 14.
"No one knows" what led to the altercation, said Hennig, in a telephone interview this morning from Boston. "I don't think anyone was present when it began ... or even if anything precipitated it."
She said that because of her father's dementia, he had "no memory at all" of his clash with Gagne and "didn't understand why his hip hurt."
The arrangers for her father's cremation, Hennig said, has told the family that Gutmann's death has been ruled "accidental." However, medical examiner's office investigator Mike Opitz said that a cause of death "hasn't been officially certified." State health officials, who regulate facilities such as Friendship Village, said they are unable to comment, citing data restrictions.
Police are investigating the death and trying to determine whether to recommend charges to the Hennepin County attorney's office, said Deputy Chief Perry Heles.
Hennig said her family has yet to discuss whether they want Gagne prosecuted. "We're still dealing with the death on an emotional level," she said. "My mother [Betty] is pretty upset."
Hennig added that the two men had clashed previously. "I don't really know any details, but obviously it was not as severe as this," she said.
Hennig said her father "came through the surgery just fine" and was receiving physical therapy. However, early last week "he just stopped taking any sustenance at all. ... He stopped eating and drinking" in what his daughter believes was his decision.