TAMPA, FL -- Amy Patterson spends a lot of time on her balcony. She didn't know her famous neighbor, former wrestler Andrew "Test" Martin, but had a clear view of his Harbour Island condominium below.
Last Thursday, she noticed he was in a peculiar position. "His feet were flat on the ground and he was on the sofa and he was completely back," Patterson said.
But she thought nothing of it, until the next day, when she noticed he had not moved. "I kept thinking, 'I hope he gets up,' because I could tell he was young and I thought, ' I hope somehow he's okay.' But just knew in my heart he just wasn't."
Patterson called police who had to climb over the balcony to get into Martin's condo. The former World Wrestling Entertainment champion was dead. Detectives saw no signs of trauma, but did say they found a large amount of pain killers and steroids, enough to order toxicology tests.
Martin was just days away from his 34th birthday.
In an eerie twist, Martin openly discussed rampant drug use in a documentary on the epidemic of young deaths in the wrestling world. His message was posted on YouTube one day after his death. The author posted it as a tribute. "I just turned 32-years-old and went to eight funerals. As bad as it may sound, it made me open my eyes and take my foot out the grave. I don't want to join that club. Either you clean up and straighten up, or lay down beside them," Martin said.
According to about.com, more than 30 professional wrestlers under the age of 40 have died since 1985. There are many reasons, including a grueling schedule and drugs.
Those statistics, and Martin's death, do not surprise Vincent Arcuri. He was a close friend of Martin and shared this e-mail he wrote a year ago, pleading with his friend. He feared for Martin's life.
Acuri wrote, "I just felt it was inevitable if he did not get the help he needed."
