Professional wrestling icon Ric Flair has expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of his stepson, 24-year-old Sebastian Kidder, who tragically died by suicide on October 26. Wendy Barlow, Kidder’s mother, confirmed the heartbreaking news to TMZ. Flair took to Instagram the following day to share his reflections on the talented musician’s untimely death.
In a heartfelt message, the 75-year-old WWE Hall of Fame member, whose real name is Richard Morgan Fliehr, began by stating, “I have spent hours wondering what to say. After hearing the news of Sebastian’s passing, I can only imagine what Wendy and Paul are going through having lost a son approximately the same age in 2013.” Flair has a personal connection to loss, as his son Reid passed away in March 2013 at the age of 25 from an accidental drug overdose.
Flair continued, “You can’t blame yourselves as I blamed myself for making Reid my best friend instead of being a good parent. Sometimes we get so close to our kids, we forget that they need us in so many different ways.” He expressed gratitude for the time he spent with Kidder, fondly recalling their moments together.
Describing Kidder as a multi-talented individual who was seen as a significant success by many, Flair urged Wendy to remain strong and focus on her future pursuits. He ended his post with heartfelt condolences, saying, “Rest in peace, Sebastian!”
Authorities are investigating the circumstances of Kidder’s death. Wendy Barlow conveyed her devastation and emphasized the urgent issue of mental health among young men, stating, “This is an epidemic.”
Kidder, who was the son of Barlow from a previous relationship, had a close bond with Flair, who played an important role in his life for over a decade. Flair and Barlow had a wedding ceremony in Florida in 2018 but later clarified that they did not obtain an official marriage certificate. Recently announcing their separation after 13 years together, Flair thanked Barlow for her unwavering support during his health struggles in 2017.
Sebastian Kidder had released his debut album, “Under The Moon,” in July and appeared on “Good Day Atlanta.” In that interview, he spoke about the unique experience of growing up with a WWE legend as a stepfather, noting the constant attention from fans.
Ric Flair has been married four times and has a total of five children, including his daughter Ashley, who is known in the wrestling world as Charlotte Flair. Ashley expressed her condolences following Kidder’s passing through a social media post featuring prayer and heart emojis.
For those in the USA seeking mental health assistance, help is available 24/7 through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org.