Search Continues For WWE Wrestler After Being "Swept Out To Sea"

VENICE BEACH, CA – Police continue to search for former World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Shad Gaspard after he was last swimming near Venice Beach on Sunday. Gaspard, who was part of the tag team Cryme Time, was last seen by a Los Angeles County lifeguard at about 3:40 p.m. Sunday when he was swimming about 50 yards from Venice Beach when, according to authorities, a wave crashed over him and he was “swept out to sea.”

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Department said the case is being treated as a missing persons investigation. Gaspard was described as black, 6-feet-7, and weighing 265 pounds, with tattoos on his right shoulder and left chest.

County lifeguards pulled Gaspard’s 10-year-son out of the water and he was evaluated by paramedics but Gaspard was nowhere to be found, officials said. His family has taken to social media to thank officials for searching for Gaspar as they hold out hope he will be found.

On Monday, Gaspard’s wife – the fitness trainer and nutritionist Siliana Gaspard – put out a plea for help on Instagram, posting photos of Gaspard and saying he had been missing since Sunday. Also on Monday, the former WWE wrestler MVP said on Twitter that the family was not ready to make any public statements.

“(Gaspard’s) family appreciates all of the love, support and concern through this horrific ordeal,” the tweet reads.

Underwater searching was halted at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, and the effort resumed shortly after 7 a.m. Monday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Lifeguard Division. Dive operations were suspended later Monday.

"We would like to express our gratitude to the first responders who rescued Aryeh and to the lifeguards, coast guard, divers, fire and police departments for their continued efforts to help find our beloved Shad," Siliana Gaspard wrote on Instagram. "Shad is a fighter, a warrior and a magical soul. We are hoping and praying for his safe return. As a family we thank you all for your concern and well wishes. Please continue to keep sending your positivity and prayers to our beloved Shad."

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the LAPD Missing Persons Unit at 213-996-1800; 877-LAPD-247; or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.

- City News Service contributed to this report.