Daniel Moody, the son of WWE legend Paul Bearer, died at the age of 39 on Monday.
Moody followed in his father’s footsteps, wrestling for independent promotions under the ring name DJ Pringle.
He was the last surviving member of Hall of Famer Bearer’s close family. Bearer, whose real name was William Moody and who was also known as Percy Pringle III, passed away in 2013.
A GoFundMe page was set up for Moody to help his daughter, Danielle, cover medical insurance costs after he reportedly ‘suffered a major health crisis’ and had to undergo a procedure last November.
The page said that he was ‘in long term care’ before an update this week confirmed his death and said that funds raised would now go towards funeral costs.
Coastal Wrestling Alliance first announced on Tuesday that Moody had passed away on Monday. No cause of death was provided.
Daniel Moody (left), the son of WWE legend Paul Bearer, died at the age of 39
Bearer, whose real name was William Moody, played the role of the Undertaker’s manager
‘It is with a heavy heart that we share this news. Daniel Moody, DJ Pringle, known by many names both in and out of the locker room and at shows has passed away last night. We want to wish our deepest condolences to the family and we are praying for you,’ the statement read.
The Moody family has been rocked by tragedy over the past couple of decades. Bearer died in 2013 from a heart attack shortly after attending the annual Gulf Coast Wrestlers Reunion in Mobile, Alabama, where he is said to have had trouble breathing.
Bearer’s wife, Dianna, passed away four years before her husband in 2009 due to complications resulting from breast cancer.
The couple’s other son and Moody’s older brother, Michael, later died in September 2014 at the age of 35 – just months after they had inducted their father into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Steve Stasiak of Book Pro Wrestlers led the tributes to Daniel Moody following the tragic news of his death.
‘Daniel was the son of Paul Bearer – a man whose voice, presence, and character became part of wrestling history forever. And like so many second-generation names, Daniel carried that connection with him, while also being his own person in the wrestling world,’ the statement read.
‘For those who met him, worked with him, or simply followed along over the years, this one hits on a different level. There’s history there. There’s family there. And there’s a bond to the business that never really leaves.
‘Moments like this remind you how small the wrestling world really is… and how deep those roots go.
Moody reportedly ‘suffered a major health crisis’ and had to undergo a procedure in November
Bearer (pictured left in the ring with the Undertaker) was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014
‘We send our thoughts, prayers, and respect to Daniel’s friends, family, and everyone connected to him – especially those who knew him beyond the name and the legacy.
‘Rest in peace, Daniel.’
Bearer rose to fame with the WWE in the 1990s, playing the role of the Undertaker’s manager.
He was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014, with both Michael and Daniel in attendance to accept his induction.
