WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka Facing Murder Charges for 32-Year-Old Death of His Girlfriend (UPDATE)

Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka is facing third degree murder and involuntary manslaugher charges in the death of his girlfriend in 1983.

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UPDATE (9/02/15): Legendary pro wrestling journalist Bill Apter says that Jimmy Snuka was NOT arrested in this case; he was scheduled to be arraigned on the charges, posted bail, and was free to go. Apter wnet on to clarify that Snuka was technically arrested, because he did post bail, but the police did not pick Snuka up at his home in New Jersey.

The Morning Call reports that Snuka's charges face a sentence of 20 to 40 years maximum if convicted. Snuka was given third-degree murder charges as opposed to first degree murder because Argentino's death was not seen to have been premeditated. They also said that, while most people in homicide cases aren't allowed bail, but because Snuka wasn't facing a life sentence—and due to his illness—he's not seen as a flight risk.

The actual case is said to involve testimony and statements from 20 witnesses, and looks into Snuka's domestic violence against both Argentino and a former wife. Authorities also indicated that Snuka being a WWE superstar didn't "protect" him back in 1983; they say that the evidence and testimony they were able to gather today are what finally brought charges up against Snuka.

The WWE issued the following statement to PWInsider about Snuka's charges:

"WWE expresses its continued sympathy to the Argentino family for their loss. Ultimately this legal matter will be decided by our judicial system."

See original story from 9/01/15 below.

As we all know, the world of professional wrestling has some terrible skeletons in its closet. Whether it's the litany of "gone too soon" deaths due to drug use (and abuse) to childhood heroes like Hulk Hogan being made mortal after his racist tirade hit the Internet, we're constantly seeing these larger-than-life superstars being made human when real life comes forward.

Case in point, WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, who is finally going to be charged with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges after the death of his girlfriend in 1983 was given a "fresh look" in 2013. As the story goes, in May of 1983, Snuka called for an ambulance to the George Washington Motor Lodge for his girlfriend, Nancy Argentino. At the time, he said he was driving with Argentino when he pulled over so she could pee, and she slipped and hit her head. She was taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where she was pronounced dead at the age of 23 stemming from brain injuries that were consistent with a head striking some kind of object. They were called "undetermined craniocerebral injuries," and were part of over two dozen cuts and bruises she sustained all over her body.

At the time, foul play was suspected, with Snuka being the only person that warranted investigation. For one reason or another, the case (which was left open) never saw charges being pressed against the WWE Hall of Famer. Argentino's family reportedly won a $500,000 settlement from Snuka in a 1985 wrongful death suit, although Snuka reportedly never paid them.

Reports are Snuka, who is 72-years-old and was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer that involved the removal of part of his stomach and his lymph nodes, was arrested at his home in New Jersey Tuesday morning. He's currently in a county jail with under $100,000 bail.

The real question is what'll happen to Snuka's legacy if he's found guilty. The WWE practically scrubbed Hogan's legacy from their website–and their Hall of Fame–and after the tragic Chris Benoit ordeal, he's never mentioned whatsoever (to the point where some people were wondering if his old matches would even show up on the WWE Network when it began). It'll also be interesting to hear what–if anything–his daughter Tamina (who is a current WWE Diva) will have to say about this.

We'll keep you posted on this as more news develops.

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