The desperate search for former WCW wrestling star Daffney Unger – sparked by a distressing video she shared on social media – ended in tragedy early Thursday.
The performer known to legions of fans as the Scream Queen was found dead at the age of 46 from an apparent suicide, her friend and fellow pro wrestler Lexie Fyfe confirmed to the Daily News.
“She was found very early this morning,” Fyfe said, breaking down in tears.
“This last act, I don’t want it to define her. She would always want people to reach out for help and to check in on those they’re worried about. We’re going to miss her,” she said.
Unger rose to fame in the World Championship Wrestling franchise starting in 1999, debuting as the impetuous girlfriend of wrestler David Flair, the son of former wrestling world champion Ric Flair.
She won the WCW Cruiserweight title in May 2000 and later performed for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, at one point playing the role of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
“I loved watching her perform. She was a born performer who was made for wrestling. When she had to retire due to injuries, she missed it immensely,” Fyfe told The News. “She’ll be missed as a performer, too, not just as a friend, but mostly as a friend.”
Daffney Unger looks on during WCW's Monday Nitro in the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Miss., Monday, May 15, 2000. (JAMES EDWARD BATES/)
“We are so sad to have to announce the passing of Shannon Spruill aka Daffney Unger @screamqueendaff,” Fyfe wrote on Instagram Thursday.
“We are posting this at the request of her family. Please respect their privacy during this trying time. I will miss you my logical sister from another mister,” Fyfe shared.
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Born Shannon Claire Spruill, Unger worried her friends and fans Wednesday night when she went live on Instagram and appeared to be suicidal.
“If anyone has a way of reaching Daffney Unger, or knows her address, please help out. She’s in a bad personal place and is threatening to harm herself. My phone call went straight to voicemail,” pro wrestler Mick Foley tweeted afterward.
“Her family have been reached, and have her current address. She’d moved in the past couple of weeks. Police have been dispatched,” Sean Ross Sapp, the managing editor of Fightful.com, tweeted about 20 minutes later.
Her family have been reached, and have her current address. She'd moved in the past couple of weeks. Police have been dispatched
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) September 2, 2021
Aubrey Causey, and investigator for the Gwinnett County medical examiner in Georgia, told the Daily News that Unger was found in her residence in Norcross, a small city northeast of Atlanta, early Thursday morning.
She declined to comment on a cause and manner of death but said it appeared Unger died Wednesday night.
“I’m so very sorry to learn of Daffney’s passing. A terrible loss for her family, friends and wrestling. She was far ahead [of] her time in our business. #RIPDaffney,” Foley tweeted Thursday.
“If you’re hurting and thinking of doing harm to yourself, please know that help is available. 800-273-8255,” he wrote, referencing the National Suicide Hotline.
I’m so very sorry to learn of Daffney’s passing. A terrible loss for her family, friends and wrestling. She was far ahead if her time in our business. #RIPDaffney
If you’re hurting and thinking of doing harm to yourself, please know that help is available.
800-273-8255 https://t.co/9AH20OjY50
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) September 2, 2021
“Rest in eternal peace my sweet, sweet, Angel friend. You were such an amazing, funny, loving, caring person, and I’ll never ever forget you. I love you always, @screamqueendaff,” former pro wrestler Velvet Sky tweeted Thursday.
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