The family of late pro wrestling star Benjamin Satterley (a.k.a. Pac) — including his wife, Natalie — broke their silence about his sudden death at age 40 on Sunday, September 27.
All Elite Wrestling on-air personality Renee Paquette read a statement on behalf of the family during a special episode of Dynamite dedicated to Pac on Wednesday, September 30.
“We are completely devastated to have lost our beautiful Ben,” the statement said. “But the love and support that we have received from every corner of the globe has been helping us get through these last few awful days. Whilst he will always have a legacy as one of the greatest wrestlers the U.K. has ever produced, we have been so glad to see so many wonderful tributes that acknowledged who Ben was as a person.”
The statement continued, “He exemplified what it meant to be a decent human being. An honorable man with principles who adored his family and his sausage dog son, Wolfie.”
Pac’s family said he “loved nights out dancing with his wife and friends and spending time with his parents, who now must mourn their only child.”
“We could not be more thankful to everyone at AEW for all of their help in navigating this tragedy,” his family said. “They have been truly phenomenal. [AEW president] Tony Khan is a great man, and this business is so lucky to have someone like him. Thank you for lightening our load.”
The statement concluded, “Thank you to all of Ben’s fans for their support over the years. We send you our love and have been so moved to see so many people saying so many wonderful things about his impact on their lives, whether great or small. We will love you forever, Ben, and our lives will never be the same without you. Thank you, the Satterley family.”
Pac was discovered “passed out” in a vehicle in the parking lot of a Cava restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois, around 4 p.m. on Sunday, less than 24 hours after he competed on AEW’s All Out pay-per-view.
After an officer approached Pac’s vehicle, he was pronounced dead on arrival.
A representative for the Des Plaines Police Department told the California Post there are “no indications of foul play, and the circumstances surrounding the death are not considered suspicious.”
The pro wrestler’s cause and manner of death are pending for additional testing, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office told Us on Monday, September 28.
An autopsy was performed on Monday, with results taking up to “several weeks.”
