Former Marigold Referee Found Dead After Bear Attack

Former Margild referee Katsumi Sasakazi reportedly was killed earlier this week after a suspected bear attack, according to The Asashi Shimbun.

It was reported that Sasakazi had gone missing earlier this week resulting in police being contacted and a search party of around thirty people being launched. Sasakazi’s body reportedly was found on Friday on Kitakami, Japan near a hot spring inn where he had worked while he was cleaning an outdoor bath on Thursday.

Sasakazi’s cause of death was believed to have been due to a bear attack making it the second bear attack and fatality in the area this month. Police officials reportedly are currently not sure if it was the same bear who had killed Sasakazi. This bear reportedly was located and killed by police shortly afterwards due to the bear’s threat on the populace.

Sasazki was sixty years old at the time of his death.

Marigold owner Rossy Ogawa issued an official statement on Twitter about Sasakazi’s tragic passing.

“Tragic news has come in that the body of Katsumi Sasazaki, who was attacked by a bear and went missing at a hot spring facility in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture, has been found. Sasazaki’s final referee appearance was in the Marigold ring. A junior from All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling, he was reserved but dedicated to his work, and he leaves behind two young daughters. He was supposed to attend the Shinkiba event but was absent, and we parted ways without exchanging any words. Such an end is unthinkable, and all I can say is that it’s deeply regrettable and heartbreaking. I pray for his soul to rest in peace.”

During his pro wrestling referee career, Sasazaki had worked for All Japan Women’s Wrestling, Zero1, and Marigold.