Professional wrestling star Jonathan Echevarria, best known by his ring name Jaka, died on Sunday at age 39 after suffering a heart attack in the days following his final in-ring appearance.
Echevarria wrestled for the final time for Boca Raton Pro Wrestling on Aug. 31, and is best known for his time with the EVOLVE promotion, prior and during its affiliation with the WWE.
Alongside usual tag-team partner Chris Dickinson, Echevarria held the EVOLVE Tag Team Championships twice. Dickinson has not publicly commented since the death of his ‘best friend’, but did post a tribute to him after he suffered the heart attack on Instagram.
‘It has been the most difficult time the last few days processing this. For anyone that I haven’t messaged or called back. I’m sorry. I’ve just been trying to deal with it. Unfortunately, Jonathan my best friend for the better part of the last 30 years has suffered a heart attack,’ Dickinson said.
‘We are talking about a healthy 39 year old man. It’s absolutely tragic and he’s still in critical condition. If you don’t know him just know he is beloved. Whether you knew him or not, maybe you have a memory of him in the ring, any interaction where he made you smile.’
‘Just think of him and send all your positivity, prayers, and loving energy into the universe for him. I know my guy and I know he’s going to kick out of this and we will have a good laugh about it.’
Wrestling star Jonathan Echevarria, best known by his moniker Jaka, died on Sunday at age 39
Echevarria (left) stands in a WWE ring alongside Dickinson (right) and Stokely Hathaway
Echevarria was unable to recover, with tributes coming in from around the globe to pay their respects. A GoFundMe is active to help with medical expenses.
Several figures in pro wrestling donated to the fundraiser, including a $5,000 addition from All Elite Wrestling CEO and President Tony Khan.
Jaka was a stablemate of AEW’s Angel Ortiz and TNA’s Mike Santana in the New England-based promotion of Beyond Wrestling, with the nationally televised stars heartbroken by the news.
‘I love you tio,’ Ortiz said on social media, also posting a highlight video of Echevarria on Monday morning.
‘GUTTED,’ Santana posted to his Instagram story.
Over the years, Echevarria has shared the ring with some of the biggest names in professional wrestling, including MJF, Tommaso Ciampa, and Keith Lee.
