Brooke Hogan is opening up about why she did not attend her father Hulk Hogan’s funeral after she questioned some of the circumstances of his death.
The retired wrestler-turned-actor and reality TV star, who died July 24 at his home in Clearwater, Fla., was laid to rest in a private funeral in Clearwater on Tuesday.
That same day, Brooke, 37, took to Instagram to explain her decision not to attend the service at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park & Funeral Home alongside other family members and friends of the late WWE superstar.
Hulk Hogan in 2015.
Heidi Gutman/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
“My father hated the morbidity of funerals. He didn’t want one,” she wrote. “And although I know people grieve in many ways — and I’m so grateful for all celebrations and events organized to honor him — as his daughter, I had to make my own decision to honor him the best and most genuine way I knew how…privately…the way that made me feel the closest to him.”
Her post featured multiple photos of her along with her husband, Steven Oleksy, and their twins, Oliver and Molly — whom they welcomed in January — at the beach.
“The only thing missing today was him in is pop-up lawn chair watching the waves… and the sunset 💔,” she added.
The former Hogan Knows Best star wrote, “Daddy, we honored you in the simplest way that agreed with my soul. We took our babies to the beach, and put them in the same salty waters you loved.”
“Molly loved the water,” she continued. “I think she’ll be a ‘little fish,’ as you called me. We love you and honor the things that made you so special. Every grain of sand and every wave reminded me of being your beach baby, and brought us closer to you. I pray you are at peace and know how dearly I love you.”
She concluded, “Rest in heaven, Daddy ❤️.”
Brooke Hogan’s Instagram Stories post honoring her father, Hulk Hogan.
Brooke Hogan/Instagram
Brooke also shared a post on her Instagram Stories about taking her and her husband’s young children to Hulk’s “favorite place … the beach” to pay tribute to him.
“We will be celebrating your life and all our good memories while we have our feet in the same saltwater you loved. Until we meet again, Daddy,” Brooke wrote with a white love heart emoji, including a childhood photo of her with her father.
Brooke posted her explanation for not attending her father’s funeral on the same day she appeared as a guest on the Bubba the Love Sponge Show, during which she admitted that she had questions about his death — specifically, that she was confused about why an autopsy had not been conducted before he was cremated.
“I do think it’s weird that no autopsy was performed, because, yes, you can have a heart attack, but what was the reason for the heart attack is the question,” Brooke said. “Because he was up and doing breathing exercises and stuff. That means that the surgery on his heart was a success and it was working.”
Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, died of acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, Entertainment Weekly confirmed.
According to medical records obtained by EW on July 31, the former pro wrestler had a history of leukemia and atrial fibrillation, a common disorder that causes irregular heartbeats. His death was ruled natural.
Brooke, who had been estranged from her father during his final years, said she hadn’t known about his cancer diagnosis and questioned how the information could have been missed.
Brooke Hogan’s Instagram Stories.
Brooke Hogan/Instagram
“That’s what has me puzzled,” she said on the show, “because they’re saying, ‘Oh, he had leukemia.’ And I saw his blood work every time. One doctor, I quote, said, ‘His blood is like a 25-year-old’s.’ I mean, he took the most care of his body. He was going to an anti-aging specialist and, also, just being through all the surgeries, you have to do a blood panel before any major surgery. How did nobody catch a high white blood cell count?”
She continued, “That’s what bothers me the most. And I’m like, we don’t have cancer that runs in our family. It just seems weird.”
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Representatives for Brooke Hogan did not immediately respond to EW’s request for comment.
Watch her live interview on Bubba the Love Sponge Show above.
