911 Call Captures Last 12 Seconds of Hulk Hogan’s Life – Medical Examiner’s Shocking Summary Stuns Family

The WWE star died on July 24 in Clearwater, Florida

NEED TO KNOW

Hulk Hogan’s cause of death has been confirmed, one week after medics were called to his home
The WWE star died at age 71 on July 24 in Florida
Hogan is survived by his wife Sky Daily and his ex-wives Linda Hogan and Jennifer McDaniel, as well as children Brooke and Nick Hogan

Hulk Hogan’s cause of death has been revealed following the wrestling icon’s death at 71.

Hogan, whose real name was Terrence Gene Bollea, died of acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, on Thursday, July 24, PEOPLE can confirm.

The WWE legend had a history of leukemia, according to medical records obtained by PEOPLE, and atrial fibrillation, a common disorder that causes irregular heart beats. Hogan’s history of leukemia, a form of cancer that affects white blood cells, was not previously known.

The records also included approval for Hogan to be cremated.

The New York Post was first to report Hogan’s cause of death.

According to the dispatch call on the day of his death, police and medics were called to Hogan’s house in Clearwater Beach, Fla. at 9:51 a.m. for a person suffering cardiac arrest. First responders attempted to revive Hogan for 30 minutes, according to dispatch audio obtained and reviewed by PEOPLE, and then taken to a local hospital where he was declared dead.

WWE confirmed Hogan’s passing in a statement to PEOPLE. The wrestling company said, “WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”

Hulk Hogan on Nov. 6, 2009 in West Hollywood, Calif.Brian To/FilmMagic

Tributes from fellow WWE icons like John Cena and Ric Flair came shortly after Hogan’s death was announced. Flair, 76, said he was “absolutely shocked” by the passing of his “close friend” in a post on X.

Rumors of Hogan’s declining health began spreading in June, claiming he had been hospitalized and was dangerously ill. Representatives for Hogan told E! News there was “no reasons to panic” over his situation despite reports that Hogan was “on his deathbed.”

Hulk Hogan on “Good Morning America” on Aug. 28, 2015.Heidi Gutman/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Hogan’s former on-screen manager and longtime friend Jimmy Hart told PEOPLE one day after the wrestler’s death that he was shocked by the news. “I called [Hogan] on Wednesday night, and then Thursday morning is when everything took place,” an emotional Hart said on Friday morning. “So just…just overnight it all happened, but it was so positive the day before.”

“It just hits so fast,” Hart said. “It was like, ‘Oh my God.’ We thought he was doing so well, you know? We didn’t go to see him at the house and didn’t go to see him at the hospital, because we wanted to make sure that he didn’t get any infections or anything else, like if anybody had a cold or brought anything in. So, that’s what we all did.”

Hulk Hogan in March 1993.WWE/WWE via Getty

Another close friend, former WWE booker Eric Bischoff, said Tuesday that Hogan was “kind of embarrassed” to be seen in his final days. Bischoff, 70, talked about his visit with a “weak” Hogan in Florida on the Tuesday, July 29 episode of his “83 Weeks with Eric Bischoff” podcast.

“[Hogan] said, ‘I really want to see you, but I’m kind of embarrassed for you to see me this way because I’ve been pretty sick,'” Bischoff shared. He said he told Hogan, “When I look at you, I don’t see the same thing you see when you look in the mirror, so f— that, I’ll be down Monday.”

Bischoff said his visit lasted about an hour and Hogan had to exert “more effort” to talk.

“It was work for him to have a conversation but he was the same guy,” Bischoff said.

Eric Bischoff; Hulk Hogan.Noam Galai/Getty; S Meddle/ITV/Shutterstock

Last September, Hogan opened up about his health, revealing he had “like 25 surgeries in the last ten years,” on Logan Paul’s “IMPAULSIVE” podcast. “I’ve had like 25 surgeries in the last ten years — 10 of them were back surgeries,” the 12-time world champion explained. “I’ve had 10 back surgeries, both knees and both hips replaced, shoulders—everything.”

Hogan has faced multiple controversies in recent years, including criticism of his speech in support of President Donald Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention; leaked audio of a racist rant, which he later called “unacceptable” in 2015; and a sex tape that was leaked online in 2012. Backed by billionaire Peter Thiel, Hogan sued Gawker over the tape for more than $100 million and settled for $31 million in 2016.

Hogan is survived by his wife Sky Daily and his ex-wives Linda Hogan and Jennifer McDaniel, as well as children Brooke and Nick Hogan.

On July 24, 2025, the wrestling world was rocked by the death of Terry Gene Bollea, known to millions as Hulk Hogan, at his Clearwater, Florida home. The 71-year-old WWE legend suffered a fatal heart attack, with a chilling 911 call capturing the final 12 seconds of his life. A three-line summary from the Pinellas County Medical Examiner, released days later, revealed previously undisclosed health struggles that left his family reeling. As the audio of the 911 call and the medical examiner’s report circulate, they have sparked global conversations about Hogan’s legacy, his hidden battles, and the fragility of even the most iconic figures.

The 911 Call: A Heartbreaking Final Moment

At 9:51 AM on July 24, 2025, a 911 call was placed from Hogan’s $11.5 million estate on El Dorado Avenue in Clearwater Beach, Florida, reporting a cardiac arrest. Audio obtained by TMZ captures the urgency of the moment, with operators dispatching paramedics using specialized lingo: “Bravo. Rescue 46, LR45, engine 46, cardiac arrest.” The final 12 seconds of the call, described as particularly harrowing, include a brief, censored segment—likely protecting sensitive information—before the operator repeats the dispatch order. According to sources close to the family, cited by the Daily Mail, these seconds are believed to mark the last moments of Hogan’s life, as he succumbed to an acute myocardial infarction before medics arrived.

The call, which surfaced hours after Hogan’s death, has been described as “disturbing” by outlets like The US Sun and Times of India, with its raw panic resonating deeply with fans. Paramedics arrived at 9:56 AM and performed CPR for over 30 minutes, but Hogan was unresponsive. He was transported to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:17 AM. The brevity of the 911 call—under a minute—underscores the suddenness of the tragedy, leaving listeners to grapple with the reality that the “Hulkster” was gone in an instant.

The Medical Examiner’s Three-Line Summary

On July 31, 2025, the Pinellas County Medical Examiner released a cremation approval summary report, signed by associate medical examiner Wayne Kurz, which stunned Hogan’s family and fans. In just three lines, the report confirmed that Hogan died of an acute myocardial infarction, with contributing factors of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and atrial fibrillation (AFib). The cause of death was certified as natural, requiring no autopsy. This concise revelation, reported by TODAY.com and US News, exposed health conditions Hogan had kept private, even from those closest to him.

The mention of CLL, a slow-progressing blood cancer, and AFib, an irregular heart rhythm that heightens cardiac risk, was particularly shocking. Hogan’s wife, Sky Daily, had denied rumors of severe health issues in June, insisting his heart was “strong” after a neck surgery in May. A family member told Healthline that Hogan’s children, Brooke and Nick, were unaware of the leukemia diagnosis, believing his struggles were limited to surgical recoveries and chronic pain. The medical examiner’s summary, while clinical, shattered the family’s perception of Hogan’s health, prompting private grief and public reflection.

Hogan’s Hidden Health Battles

The medical examiner’s report contextualizes the 911 call, revealing why Hogan’s heart attack was so sudden and fatal. Hogan had endured 25 surgeries over the past decade, including a four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion in May 2025, which led to complications like renal failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Sources cited by The Mirror noted Hogan’s frailty in his final weeks, with shortness of breath, weight loss, and fatigue signaling a “very weak heart.” His leukemia and AFib, undisclosed to the public, further increased his vulnerability.

Hogan’s wrestling career, marked by grueling matches and steroid use in the 1990s, likely contributed to his cardiac risks. Dr. Marc Siegel, quoted in a Fox News report, explained that Hogan’s history aligned with a high risk for heart disease, a leading cause of death in the U.S. The 911 call’s urgency reflects the reality of cardiac arrest, where survival rates plummet without immediate intervention. The medical examiner’s summary, by revealing Hogan’s underlying conditions, underscores why even 30 minutes of CPR could not save him.

Family and Fan Reactions

The 911 call and medical examiner’s report have deepened the grief of Hogan’s family. Brooke Hogan, in an Instagram post, expressed gratitude for knowing the “real” Terry Bollea, hinting at the pain of learning his hidden struggles posthumously. Sky Daily, who reassured fans of Hogan’s strength weeks earlier, has remained silent since the report’s release, reportedly devastated by the leukemia revelation. Nick Hogan, Hogan’s son, has not commented publicly, but sources suggest he is grappling with the loss and the medical disclosures.

Fans, meanwhile, have turned the 911 call into a viral phenomenon, with clips shared on X alongside tributes. Posts describe the audio as “gut-wrenching,” with one user writing, “Those 12 seconds are all we have left of the Hulkster’s fight.” Others have focused on the medical examiner’s summary, expressing shock at Hogan’s leukemia: “He hid so much to protect his family and fans.” Tributes from Ric Flair, who recalled Hogan’s support during personal crises, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who shared a childhood memory, highlight Hogan’s impact beyond the ring.

A Legacy Amid Tragedy

The 911 call and medical examiner’s report have reframed Hulk Hogan’s legacy, blending admiration for his resilience with sorrow for his silent struggles. As the face of “Hulkamania,” Hogan revolutionized wrestling in the 1980s, headlining WrestleMania and starring in films like Rocky III. His controversies, including a 2015 racism scandal, remain part of his story, but the focus now is on his humanity. The 911 call’s 12 seconds capture a fleeting fight for life, while the medical examiner’s three lines reveal a battle fought in private.

Clearwater Police, led by Major Nate Burnside, confirmed no foul play, labeling the ongoing investigation as standard procedure. Governor Ron DeSantis declared July 31 “Hulk Hogan Day in Florida,” with flags at half-staff, honoring a “true Floridian.” As fans gather at Hogan’s Beach Shop and share memories online, the 911 call and medical report serve as poignant reminders of Hogan’s mortality. His legacy endures, defined by strength, sacrifice, and a final, heartbreaking moment at 5:42 AM.

Sources: TMZ, Daily Mail, The US Sun, TODAY.com, US News, The Mirror, PEOPLE, Pinellas County Medical Examiner, X posts.