Etsuo Hara / Getty Images
Hana Kimura, an aspiring Japanese pro wrestler, is currently playing in the latest series of townhousedied at the age of 22.
The cause of death has not been confirmed, but Stardom, the promotion Kimura wrestled with in Japan, confirmed her death on Twitter today.
“We are very sorry to report that our Hana Kimura has passed away,” read the tweet. “Please be respectful and allow some time for things to be processed and keep your thoughts and prayers with your family and friends.”
Star fans,
We are very sorry to report that our Hana Kimura has passed away.
Please be respectful and allow some time for things to be processed and keep your thoughts and prayers with your family and friends.
We thank you for your support in this difficult time.
– We are famous (@we_are_stardom) May 23, 2020
Kimura was reportedly recently victim of bullying on social media and tweeted unsettling pictures ahead of her death.
“Thanks to everyone who supported me,” she tweeted. “I love it. I’m weak, I’m sorry. I don’t want to be a person anymore. It was a life that I wanted to be loved. Thank you everyone, I love you. Bye.”
Kimura, the daughter of Kyoko Kimura, was born into a wrestling family and has been wrestling professionally since 2016. She was an emerging star on the Japanese wrestling scene. Well-known wrestling commentator Dave Meltzer recently tweeted that Stardom was planning to maintain her as her main mainstream star.
If the pandemic hadn’t happened, the new owners would build the year around her and Giulia as their main stars. And she was by far the more charismatic of the two. https://t.co/GgWHwDEIwT
– Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) May 23, 2020
Others in the pro-wrestling world have started to publish honors.
Hana Kimura’s death is an absolute tragedy. I hope this recalls that social media interactions can have a serious impact on people’s mental health regardless of who they are. Be polite. REST IN PEACE.
– Adam Pacitti (@adampacitti) May 23, 2020
It absolutely breaks my heart how cruel people can be on social media. It was an amazing honor to know Hana Kimura. She was an amazing girl with the kindest soul and immense passion and work ethic. I am speechless about this tragedy. Rest in peace my friend.
– Tessa Blanchard (@Tess_Blanchard) May 23, 2020
If you have thoughts of harming or killing yourself, you can contact them National lifeline for suicide prevention on 1-800-273-8255 in the U.S. Those in the UK can call Samaritan on 116 123. If you live in Australia you can contact Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14.