More Details on the Sudden Death Of Andrew "Test" Martin (UPDATED)

If you're a member of the wrestling community here on B/R, you have heard the tragic news of Andrew "Test" Martin's death, just days before his 34th birthday.

Sadly, Martin's drug problems weren't a secret; they cost him his job with WWE, and a possible career with TNA.

Martin also defended the use of steroids on his MySpace page, saying they're mostly used for cosmetic reasons, and compared them to a facelift or botox.

No word on if drugs or steroids were behind his tragedy. Martin did, however, complete WWE's request for him to go to rehab for his problem.

He attended and finished a program with The Hanley Center Rehabilitation facility in Florida, according to Jim Ross' latest blog.

Ross also writes that Martin was attending a 12-step program and was talking to his former employer regularly.

They tried to contact him Friday. His voicemail was apparently full.

Martin's body was found in his Tampa apartment yesterday at 8 p.m. According to wrestling-edge.com, a neighbor saw his lifeless body through a window and contacted the police.

The Blockbuster card of Barbie Blanks, known to WWE fans as Kelly Kelly (Martin's former girlfriend), was found in his jeans pocket. This is what confirmed his name to the public.

In his last MySpace posting, Martin seemed extremely upbeat, talking about his tour in Japan and how great the fans were there.

You can visit his page at http://www.myspace.com/7439092.

It's incredibly sad that people are already calling him "another statistic," simply another death due to drugs in the wrestling world.

The fact is, we don't know all the facts. Is it likely? Yes. But right now, we have no way of knowing for certain.

And to many people, Andrew Martin was not just another name, and he's not just "another wrestling death" either. This man had a family, he had friends and he had fans that loved him.

I hope the next time you think of these "statistics"...you rightfully put faces to names.

3/15/09: To update, both the WWE and WWE Diva Kelly Kelly has issues statments on Martin's death.

On WWE.com, the compant writes: World Wrestling Entertainment® has been made aware of the passing of Andrew Martin. The WWE extends its deepest condolences to the Martin family. Mr. Martin was under contract with WWE at various time periods and performed under the name “Test.” He last performed for the WWE in February 2007

Kelly Kelly posted a message on her MySpace: You were my world my best friend the one i always ran to u were always there for me..what happened to our plan…Why did god take u away from me…my heart is always with u and u only..I know your in heaven watching over me now my angel…