Wrestler's Brother, Widow Talk with KC Police

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June 05, 1999

Wrestler’s Brother, Widow Talk with KC Police

The Kansas City Star - June 5, 1999

Christine Vendel
The Kansas City Star
6/05/1999

The widow and a brother of wrestler Owen Hart, who was killed when a stunt went awry May 23 at Kemper Arena, met with Kansas City police Thursday and Friday.

“I would like to thank the people of Kansas City for their kindness and sympathy,” Martha Hart said before leaving Police Headquarters Friday. “It means a great deal to me at this difficult time.”

Bret Hart, a wrestler with the World Championship Wrestling circuit, said his brother was more than a famous wrestler. “On top of that, he was a great father, husband, brother and son to the Hart family,” he said. “We’re just dealing with everything the best we can.”

Hart died after falling 78 feet. He was supposed to be lowered slowly into the ring on a cable in a World Wrestling Federation performance. Instead, a mechanism connecting his body harness to the cable somehow opened, and he fell.

Police Chief Rick Easley announced Friday that toxicology tests on Hart’s body showed no presence of drugs or alcohol.

Hart family members declined to answer detailed questions about why they traveled from their Alberta, Canada, hometown of Calgary to Kansas City, or whether they planned to pursue a lawsuit.

Attorneys for the Hart family, Gary and Anita Robb of Kansas City, said the Harts wanted to learn about the progress of the investigation and extend appreciation for the Police Department’s efforts.

Gary Robb emphasized the case was still open. “We are cooperating in every way with the investigation,” he said. “And we will await the final results by these authorities.”

Police continue to investigate how the harness mechanism opened, but they think Hart might have inadvertently triggered it. Tests on the mechanism showed it had not been tampered with and no parts appeared to be missing said Maj. Greg Mills.

“We still have some work to do on the case,” Mills said. “Once that is complete, I expect that we will forward the case to the prosecutor’s office for a review as it relates to any criminal violations.”

Besides meeting with police about 40 minutes Friday, the Harts and their attorney also met privately with police about two hours Thursday. Police declined to reveal what was discussed.

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