Sebastian Kidder, rising musician and stepson of WWE legend Ric Flair, tragically passed away on October 26 from a reported self-inflicted gunshot wound at his family’s Georgia home. His mother, Wendy Barlow, confirmed the heartbreaking news, expressing her devastation and concern over mental health issues among young men. Barlow’s sorrow, shared on Instagram, conveyed her immeasurable pain, writing, “There are no words to express the pain I am feeling from the loss of my Baby.”
This tragedy comes shortly after Flair and Barlow ended their 13-year relationship. Flair recently acknowledged their split, attributing it to conflicting schedules and new projects, and thanked Barlow for her support, especially during his severe health crisis in 2017.
In an Instagram post about Kidder’s passing, Flair expressed profound empathy for Barlow and Kidder’s biological father, Paul, recalling his own heartache from losing his son, Reid, in 2013 to a drug overdose. Addressing Barlow, Flair urged her not to blame herself, stating, “Sometimes we get so close to our kids, we forget that they need us in so many different ways.”
Flair remembered Kidder fondly, valuing his talents, generosity, and support for his mother. Kidder had ventured into acting at age 10, once working as a stand-in on The Walking Dead. Recently, he’d pursued music passionately, releasing his debut album, Under the Moon, a project infused with themes of love, loss, and romance. In an interview on Good Day Atlanta, Kidder humorously described his creative process and highlighted the joy of realizing his “dream.”
Flair enthusiastically supported Kidder’s music career, even celebrating the release of his music video Goth Girl at Bar on social media. Kidder described his life with Flair as unique, filled with interactions with fans and celebrities, providing an early taste of life in the public eye.
As his family, friends, and fans mourn his loss, an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kidder’s passing is ongoing.