Katsumi Sasazaki, a highly respected professional wrestling referee in Japan, has been killed in a bear attack.
Sasazaki, 60, went missing while working at Semi Onsen, a hot spring resort in Kitakami, Iwate, Japan, on Thursday, October 16, according to The Asahi Shimbun.
The resort’s manager noticed Sasazaki was missing around 11:15 a.m. on Thursday and contacted the Kitakami Police Station.
When authorities arrived on the scene, they found Sasazaki’s cleaning tools, glasses and slippers scattered around an outdoor bath, which was his last known location. Bloodstains were also found on the fence surrounding the bath.
A search party of about 30 people was organized on Thursday, but their efforts were called off after roughly 30 minutes due to bad weather.
The search began again on the morning of Friday, October 17, this time with a team of about 40 people.
At around 9 a.m., Sasazaki’s body was found in a wooded area roughly 50 yards from the inn.
Search and rescue officials shot and killed an adult male Asiatic black bear near the area where Sasazaki’s body was found.
Another man was reportedly attacked and killed by a bear in the same area on October 8 while picking mushrooms. Authorities are attempting to figure out if the same bear was responsible for both attacks.
Sasazaki had worked as a referee for All Japan Women, Zero1 and Marigold Wrestling before his death.
Marigold founder, Rossy Ogawa, remembered Sasazaki with a message on social media.
“Tragic news has come in that the body of Katsumi Sasazaki, who was attacked by a bear and went missing at a hot spring facility in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture, has been found,” Ogawa wrote via X on Friday. “Sasazaki’s final referee appearance was in the Marigold ring. A junior from All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling, he was reserved but dedicated to his work, and he leaves behind two young daughters. He was supposed to attend the Shinkiba event but was absent, and we parted ways without exchanging any words. Such an end is unthinkable, and all I can say is that it’s deeply regrettable and heartbreaking. I pray for his soul to rest in peace.”
New Japan pro wrestler Hartley Jackson remembered Sasazaki fondly, saying he had officiated hundreds of his matches over the years.
“He was a referee, president, driver, office worker, ring crew, friend and most important, a family man,” Jackson, 45, shared via X on Friday. “He did so much! He introduced me to so many Japanese foods, like Lucky Pierrot, Bikri Donkey, Sukiya, tonkasu/ramen, yakisoba, okonomiyaki, yakiniku and interchange ice cream just to name a few.”
Jackson explained that he and Sasazaki also spent countless hours in the car together driving between wrestling shows.
“I have so many wonderful stories and memories,” Hartley wrote. “But thinking of his two little girls and his family breaks my heart. Rest in peace Sasazakisan. All I can ask is ‘why!’”
Sasazaki is survived by his two daughters.
According to Hideo Arai, president of a Yokohama-based entertainment production company, Sasazaki also recently worked as a bus driver transporting wrestlers.
“As a renowned referee, he was a pillar of many ring events,” Arai, 67, said, per The Asahi Shimbun. “He had a gentle personality and approached matches with a sincere attitude. I knew he had retired and was working at a hot spring, but how could this happen?”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
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