Legendary professional wrestler Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka has been charged in the killing of his former girlfriend, a New York City native, more than 30 years ago, authorities said Tuesday.
Snuka was indicted by a grand jury on third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges in the 1983 death of Nancy Argentino, of Brooklyn. He was arrested Tuesday morning at his home in New Jersey and was expected to post $100,000 bail following his arraignment.
Argentino died after being found gasping for air and oozing from the mouth in a hotel in Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, while on a trip with Snuka for a World Wrestling Federation taping in Allentown.
The case had gone cold after she died, but prosecutors decided to present evidence from the case to a grand jury after The Morning Call published a report raising questions about Argentino's death and publishing an autopsy report that labeled the case a homicide, the newspaper reports.
Local
The report released by The Morning Call revealed that Argentino had died of traumatic brain injuries, and that she had suffered dozens of cuts and bruises on her head, ear, chin, arms, hands, back buttocks, legs and feet.
The pro wrestler was the only person of interest ever named in Argentino's death, and had told police that he pushed her earlier in the day and had caused her to fall and hit her head, the newspaper reports. He allegedly changed his story later, saying that Argentino has slipped and hit her head when they stopped on the highway to go to the bathroom.
Snuka, who currently lives in Waterford Township, New Jersey, is 72 and was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer. At the height of his career, he was one of professional wrestling's brightest stars known for his high-flying moves and rivalry with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper in the 1980s.
He has maintained that he is innocent in Argentino's death, The Morning Call reports.
Information on Snuka's attorney wasn't immediately available.
