Hulk Hogan's death may be result of medical malpractice: report

Hulk Hogan's death may be linked to medical malpractice, according to sources that spoke to TMZ. Hogan died earlier this summer at age 71, and official reports have said he died of a heart attack.

The outlet got a statement from the Clearwater Police Department that said, "We have been in communication with family members -- including his son, Nick, and daughter, Brooke. The unique nature of this case has required us to interview multiple witnesses and seek medical records from a variety of providers, and our detectives continue to do that. All of this takes time."

"The Hogan family has been appreciative of our efforts and our communication with them," police added.

The widow of Hulk Hogan, Sky, told the outlet that Hogan's phrenic nerve, which lies in the chest, was "compromised" during a recent surgery before his death. The widow said that an autopsy has been done on the wrestling legend, but did not share the results with reporters.

According to sources familiar with Hogan's death cited by the outlet, medical malpractice may have been the cause. Police sources also told TMZ that an occupational therapist was at his home when Hogan stopped breathing.

The therapist said of the recent surgery that it is unclear if an operation "severed" the phrenic nerve. The phrenic nerve is responsible for the movement of the diaphragm, which allows one to breathe. The outlet was told by Hogan's wife that he did not have an episode similar to the symptoms of a heart attack, but that he simply stopped breathing.

Hogan's daughter, Brooke, has called for an autopsy on the wrestling legend's body before anything like cremation can take place.