TAMPA, FL -- Nearly a month after his death, loved oned and friends learned what killed champion wrestler Andrew "Test" Martin.
According to a report released by the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's office, the 33 year old pro athlete died of an accidental oxycodone overdose. The results, sadly do not surprise Vincent Arcuri, a former business associate and dear friend of Martin's.
The day after the pro wrestler was found in his Harbor Island condo, Arcuri predicted this sad scenario.
"My personal opinion is that drugs destroyed his life."
Just six months ago, Arcuri sent this heartfelt e-mail that he shared with Action News: It read:
'Andrew please read this letter. this is not meant to be disrespectful.I hope it will open your eyes. if you decide to take my advice at the end of this letter I will stop my entire business, stop my life and stand beside you. I love you and want you to get help. Nobody can help you until; you decide you need help. I promise i will be by your side 24/7 if you get the help you need.'
Arcuri said Martin was like a member of his own family and that is why he felt compelled to reach out. Arcuri said he could see a difference in his friend behavior and it worried him.
"He was like a brother and to see him change completely to what he was to watch this condition take over his life was one of the saddest things i have ever seen. I sent him an e-mail and told him if felt like he was going to die if he did not get the help that he needed--and as horrible as it turnout that is exactly what happened."
In an eerie twist, Martin himself talked about the dangers of painkiller addiction in a documentary he taped this past year. He spoke openly after he said he went to 8 funerals for his fellow wrestlers, including 44 year old Brian "Crush" Adams who died suddenly and was found in his tampa home back in August of 2007. In the interview Martin said,
'You either clean up or straighten up or lay down beside them.'
Martin was found in his condo just days before he was to leave for a trip to Europe. A neighbor who could see into his unit called 9-11 after she noticed he had not moved in more than 24 hours. When police arrived, detectives said they found a myriad of steroids and painkillers in his home. Arcuri said Martin had tried to get help in the past and feels more could have been done to help him.
"I honestly feel if more of his friends put their foot down and tool the position I took we could have saved his life.
I know I am going to get heat for this interview but truthfully the message I am trying to get out is if you know someone with that problem you are not doing any favors by enabling them and allowing them to continue this charade because as you can see people die from this."
Martin's family has reportedly planned a funeral for their loved one in Ontario later this month.
