Christopher Klucsaritis Suicide: Who Was Chris Kanyon?

Christopher Klucsaritis Suicide: Who Was Chris Kanyon?

NEW YORK (CBS) Former WWE wrestler Chris Kanyon, whose real name is Christopher Klucsaritis, was found dead in his Queens, N.Y. apartment Friday night after he apparently committed suicide.

PICTURES: Chris Kanyon's Tragic Death

In 2004, Kanyon made headlines when he publicly announced he was gay.

Chris Kanyon (Personal Photo)
During his wrestling career, from 1997 to 2004, he fought for the World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation, renamed World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, under the name "Kanyon," according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Kanyon planned on using his homosexuality as an element in a wrestling character, according to Fox News.

PICTURES: Chris Kanyon's Tragic Death

He also reportedly suffered from bipolar disorder, according to Fox News.

Kanyon was found dead in his Sunnyside, Queens apartment with "scores of pills near his body," reported the New York Daily News.

An official cause of death has not yet been determined.

The WWE issued a statement on its website saying, "World Wrestling Entertainment would like to express its deepest condolences to Christopher Klucsaritis' family and friends on his tragic passing." Klucsaritis was under contract with the WWE from 2001 until 2004.

After 2004, Klucsaritis still wrestled on occasion, billing himself as an openly gay wrestler, according to The Associated Press.

I always liked Kanyon, he was very entertaining. it was a big shock to me when he annouced he was gay. fair or not it did change my view of him. Still it is sad that he thought his only way out was suicide.