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Who was Marissa Jeanne Vaziri?
Marissa Jeanne Vaziri was the eldest daughter of Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, better known as The Iron Sheik, a former WWE champion and Hall of Famer. She was born in 1977 and grew up in a family of wrestlers. She had two sisters, Nikki and Tanya, who also pursued wrestling careers.
Marissa was described by her father as a “good girl” who loved animals and music. She had a passion for singing and wanted to become a professional singer. She also had a boyfriend, Charles Warren Reynolds, whom she lived with in Marietta, Georgia.
How did Marissa Jeanne Vaziri die?
On March 20, 2003, Marissa Jeanne Vaziri was found dead in her apartment. She had been strangled by her boyfriend, Charles, after a night of partying with pills and alcohol. According to the police, the couple had an argument that turned violent, but none of their guests were alarmed. After everyone left, Charles choked Marissa while she was asleep and then pulled the blanket up to her chin. He later confessed to the murder and told the cops: “She’s such a good girl, but she wouldn’t calm down.”1
How did The Iron Sheik react to his daughter’s death?
The Iron Sheik was devastated by the loss of his daughter. He was recovering from a knee replacement surgery at the time and had to use a wheelchair to attend her funeral. He was also determined to avenge her death by killing her murderer. His wife, Caryl, warned the family about his homicidal intentions before he went to the court where Charles was standing trial. The Iron Sheik had a razor blade hidden in his cheek, which he planned to use to slit Charles’ throat. However, he was stopped by the court officers and his family, who pleaded with him to let go of his rage. His other daughter, Tanya, whispered to him: “You can’t kill him ’cause they’ll put you in prison. I lost my sister and I don’t want to lose my father.”
The Iron Sheik decided to listen to his daughter and focus on his family instead of revenge. He later said that he forgave Charles for killing Marissa, but he still wished he could have faced him in the wrestling ring. He also said that he missed Marissa every day and that she was always in his heart.
How did Marissa Jeanne Vaziri’s death affect the wrestling community?
Marissa Jeanne Vaziri’s death was a shock to the wrestling world, especially to those who knew and worked with The Iron Sheik. Many wrestlers and fans expressed their condolences and support to the grieving father. Some of them also donated money to help pay for Marissa’s funeral expenses. The Iron Sheik thanked everyone for their kindness and generosity.
Marissa Jeanne Vaziri’s death also raised awareness about the dangers of domestic violence and substance abuse. Many wrestlers and fans shared their own stories and experiences of dealing with these issues and urged others to seek help if they were in similar situations. They also encouraged people to respect and cherish their loved ones and not take them for granted.
Marissa Jeanne Vaziri’s death was a tragic and senseless loss of a young and talented woman. She left behind a legacy of love and music that touched many lives. She also inspired her father to overcome his pain and anger and become a better person. She will always be remembered as The Iron Sheik’s daughter and a part of the wrestling family.
