Ex-WWE star Ashley Massaro’s brother stabbed to death hours after leaving rehab he entered following sister’s suicide
THE brother of former WWE star Ashley Massaro has been stabbed to death hours after leaving a rehab programme he entered following her suicide.
Ronnie Massaro was killed outside a pizzeria in Long Island, New York, at around 9.15pm on November 21.
He had reportedly checked out of a rehab facility only hours before.
He had checked into the facility with alcohol issues following the death of sister Ashley aged 39 last year.
Ashley starred as a professional wrestler in the WWE between 2005 and 2008, and more recently had worked as a DJ for rock radio station 94.3 The Shark.
In the early hours of May 16, 2019, paramedics responded to an emergency call and found her unresponsive at her home in Smithtown, New York.
She was taken to hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Her death is thought to have been a suicide.
As well as his issues with alcohol, Ronnie had reportedly struggled with grief and depression since Ashley’s death.
Discussing Ronnie with Sportskeeda, childhood friend Keith Hanlon said: “He got out of rehab and got on the train. And that was it.
“Out of a program and on the train, and not even 12 hours later, he was gone.
“He was ready to live life. Since his sister’s passing, I’d never noticed him have this voice.
“Something hit him. I really believe he started to accept things and understand what life was about.”
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Ronnie’s girlfriend, Carly Marie Delvalle, posted a tribute to him on a memorial board on the website of Moloney Family Funeral Homes.
“[Ronnie] lit up a room when he walked in, his charismatic soul made everyone love him,” she wrote.
“His compassion for people was so strong that he hurt when others did.
“I pray for his parents. They were amazing parents and I wish they didn’t have to go through this again.
“He was loved by so many.”
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A former colleague said Ronnie was “the most humble soul Ive ever met”.
“He always made me laugh and had an amazing spirit,” she said.
A friend of Ashley’s added that Ashley had “always spoken highly” of Ronnie.