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