Wrestling icon Ric Flair shared an emotional statement following the death of his stepson Sebastian Kidder Sunday.
Sebastian took his own life last weekend at the age of 24 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 in a saddening statement on Sunday evening.
‘I 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 so grateful for the time I had with Sebastian. I have so many wonderful memories and time with him growing up!’ he wrote later. ‘He stood next to his mother, along with all the family – Sophia, Paris and Summer, while I was dying. He was so selfless that he shared his mother with me while I was dying. And also at the death of my son Reid. He was multi-talented and a huge success in everyone’s eyes and will always be remembered as such.’
Sebastian Kidder, the stepson of WWE legend Ric Flair, has died by suicide at the age of 24
The 75-year-old WWE Hall of Famer broke his silence in an emotional statement on Sunday night
Flair added a touching message to Sebastian’s mother Wendy as he continued to pay tribute to his stepson.
‘I’m so sorry! Wendy, please stay strong and don’t let anything stop you from all your successful endeavors in the future. God bless you both! Rest in peace Sebastian,” he wrote.
Wendy had confirmed Sebastian’s death to TMZ Sports, saying: ‘I am devastated and shocked. This is an epidemic among your young men. And mental health.”
Sebastian was discovered in Georgia on Saturday afternoon with a gunshot wound while police investigate, 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 from the loss of my baby @sebastianonthemic,” his mother Wendy shared on Instagram on Sunday afternoon. “Mommy loves you.”
Last month, Flair and Wendy announced that they had split after six years of marriage.
Sebastian was a musician and released his first album earlier this year, entitled ‘Under The Moon’.
Sebastian pictured alongside stepfather Ric and his 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 in Sebastian’s first major release, writing on X: ‘Congratulations on the release of your first album – Under The Moon! I’m so proud of you! WOOOOOO! Available on all streaming platforms!’
Sebastian appeared on Fox5 Atlanta earlier this year to promote his record and said, “It’s actually very romantic, the core of the album. Very recognisable.’
He explained that his mother supported his music career after hearing him sing a song to a girl he wanted to impress.
“I shot the cover and didn’t think anything about it, but my mom got a hold of it and started sending it to people. You get traction and roll along,” he said.
On his relationship with Ric, Sebastian said: “Definitely a lot of advice (on dealing with fame). That’s the interesting thing: growing up with Ric as a stepfather was very different, very unique.
“You go out to dinner with the family and you’re surrounded by fans, people coming up and wanting pictures. You are confronted with it from a young age.
“What kid has Post Malone coming over to have dinner with the family? Darius Rucker once pulled up on his big tour bus. It was crazy.’
Flair, one of the most iconic wrestlers of all time, and Wendy, a retired All-American ranked professional tennis player, previously split in 2022, only to reconcile a few months later.
WWE icon Flair recently announced his split from his wife Wendy (left), Sebastian’s mother
Sebastian pictured during a television interview about his career earlier this year
“Wendy and I have had thirteen wonderful years,” Flair wrote in a statement. ‘Like any couple, we have had our ups and downs. [But] I think it is important for everyone to now know that we have decided to part ways respectfully.
“I will never be able to thank her enough for standing by my side during my terrible health crisis in 2018. She never left my side! And for that I will always be grateful!
“We’re both working on different projects right now and it’s going to be hard with my schedule and her schedule 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.