Former WWE wrestler Sara Lee has passed away at the age of 30, her family has confirmed in a statement.
Her fellow wrestling stars have been paying tribute to her online, with many expressing their “shock” and sadness at her death. On Thursday, Oct. 6, it was announced that wrestling star Sara Lee Weston died at age 30. Before her untimely death, Sara competed in and ultimately won the reality TV series Tough Enough. Along with bragging rights, the professional wrestler was rewarded with a $250,000 deal with WWE.Although she was released from her contract the following year, Sara’s fitness journey didn’t end there. In fact, the athlete seemed to be in perfect health at the time of her death. So, how did she die? Here’s everything we know about her cause of death.
Lee was an American TV personality and professional wrestler, best known for her time with WWE between 2015 and 2016. She was the winner of the WWE competition show Tough Enough in 2015. The show saw participants undergo training to become professional wrestlers, with one male and one female contestant crowned the winners and awarded a contract with WWE.Lee took part in the sixth season of Tough Enough, winning the season alongside Joshua Bredl, who wrestled under the name Bronson Matthews.
Born on 7 June 1992, Lee grew up in Hope Township in Michigan, where she spent much of her time powerlifting. After graduating from Meridian High School in 2010, she went on to enrol at Delta College, studying medical sonography.
Talking with Edward Pevos on the WWE Tough Enough podcast, Lee said: “If the WWE thing doesn’t work out, I plan on being an ultrasound technician.”
After winning Tough Enough in 2015, Lee made her debut in the ring on 30 January 2016 in a six-Diva tag team match. She was released from her WWE contract on 30 September 2016.
Lee lived in Florida and married fellow former WWE wrestler Cory Weston, whose wrestling name is Wesley Blake. The two tied the knot on 30 December 2017, after having welcomed their daughter into the world on 1 May 2017.
The couple went on to have two more children together – their first son, born 27 February 2019, and their second son, born in 2021.
On Thursday afternoon, Sara’s mom — Terri Lee — shared a somber message on Facebook. “It is with heavy hearts we wanted to share that our Sara Weston has gone to be with Jesus.”
Terri’s post read, “We are all in shock and arrangements are not complete. We ask that you respectfully let our family mourn.”
Lee’s cause of death has not been revealed. Days prior to her passing, Lee posted a selfie on Instagram marking her return to the gym after battling her “first ever sinus infection”.
She wrote in the caption: “Celebrating finally being healthy enough to go to the gym 2 days in a row! First ever sinus infection kicked my buss #Saraselfie #gains”
In an interview with Wrestle Talk, Wesley recalled his first encounter with the ex-NXT wrestler. “When Tough Enough was coming out I used to go to a friend’s apartment and we used to watch it. I will never forget when they announced the 11 Tough Enough people,” he explained.
The recently widowed father of three said of his wife, “When Sarah came across the screen, I said to the guys, ‘I don’t know what it is, but I think she is the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on.'”
The two got married in 2017. This December would have marked the couple’s five-year anniversary.
Following Sara’s death, WWE star Bull James set up a GoFundMe page to pay for her funeral and help the family “pick up the pieces” during their time of need.
“We’re all shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Tough Enough winner Sara Lee,” the GoFundMe page read. “The wrestling community has always been one to come together in the wake of tragedy and this is no different. Every penny raised from this will go directly to Cory and the kids.”
He concluded the message with a thank you to donors and described Sara as “one of the good ones.”
We’re wishing all the condolences in the world to the Weston family.
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