A British wrestling fan who disappeared during WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas has been discovered deceased in a motel just off the Strip.
Mark Izard, 43, reportedly died of “natural causes linked to existing health issues” on April 18 while in Nevada for the annual wrestling event, according to a Facebook post from his sister, Kelly Hall.
“On Saturday, April 18th, our lives changed forever. Our beloved brother Mark Izard passed away in Las Vegas while doing what he loved most: attending WWE WrestleMania weekend,” his family shared on GoFundMe.
A dedicated wrestling enthusiast, Izard had attended an autograph signing with Canadian wrestler Natalya “Natty” Neidhart at Horseshoe Las Vegas on April 16, and was last seen in public the next evening at a “SmackDown” event at T-Mobile Arena.
The precise cause and manner of his death are still under investigation.
According to coroner’s officials, Izard was found at 1731 South Las Vegas Blvd., a location identified as the Oasis Motel, situated eight miles north of T-Mobile Arena.
“We are heartbroken by our loss, but we also find some solace in knowing that he passed away doing something he loved,” Kelly Izard posted on Facebook.
She expressed gratitude to everyone who knew Mark and to the wrestling community for their support in the search effort throughout the past week.
Mark Izzard was supposed to fly back after a weekend packed with wrestling events, but he lost contact with his family.
Wrestling blog Partied on the Top Rope stated that a missing person poster was circulated to aid in finding Izard, who missed his return flight.
The flyer noted that Izard used a cane.
Neidhart had shared the missing person’s poster, calling on the wrestling community to unite and provide any information that could help locate Izard.
After the news of his death broke, Neidhart honored him, saying, “Wrestling brings people together in a special way, and moments like this remind us how precious life is. My thoughts are with Mark’s family, friends, and everyone who loved him.”
Izard’s family shared images showcasing his moments with numerous wrestling stars over the years, including John Cena, Hulk Hogan, and The Undertaker.
“Mark was more than just a spectator; he was a pillar of the wrestling community,” they wrote. “His passion for the sport defined his life, from childhood to his worldly travels. He was a well-known figure in indie wrestling and relished every moment spent at ringside. Tragically, Mark’s journey ended unexpectedly after attending Friday Night SmackDown.”
Relatives have sought financial assistance to transport Izard’s remains back home from Las Vegas.
