Former WWE Star Killed Days After Divorce Finalised
A shocking murder case has emerged involving a former WWE wrestler who was killed just three days after his divorce was finalised. Kevin Nikel, who performed under the name Knuckles Madsen, died in July after being discovered with a gunshot wound on an Arkansas highway.
The 41-year-old was rushed to hospital but tragically succumbed to his abdominal injuries. Four months after his death, authorities have made arrests in connection with the case.
Arrests Made in Murder Investigation
According to court documents obtained by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Nikel's ex-wife Amanda Penny, 40, has been arrested and charged with his murder. Her new boyfriend, 51-year-old Michael Hogue, stands accused of being the trigger man.
Both suspects were apprehended by the US Marshals Service and face charges of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by certain persons. The pair remain in Benton County Jail without bond, with a hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
Penny and Nikel had shared a long history, having first met in high school before marrying in 2012. Their marriage lasted 13 years before they filed for divorce, which was officially granted on July 8 - merely three days before Nikel's tragic death.
Family Speaks Out About Tragic Loss
Nikel's mother, Susan Kinderman, shared heartfelt memories with 5News about her son's relationship with Penny. "She was his first friend that he met in high school. They were dating, then they got married. They were happy for a long time, and then I guess they started to grow apart," Kinderman revealed.
The grieving mother described how the relationship deteriorated over time. "Kevin took a job where he could be gone two weeks at a time, and things just progressively got worse, until they divorced."
Kinderman expressed frustration about the lack of clarity surrounding her son's final moments. "We still don't know exactly what happened when he got shot. The detectives have been pretty close lipped on that, which is good, but we'd still like to know exactly what happened and who did what."
The investigation suggests there was "some kind of argument" and "texting going back and forth" before the fatal shooting occurred. Kinderman believes her son was lured to his death, stating, "I think they enticed Kevin to meet up with them. I was told by the detectives that there was some kind of altercation. Shots were fired, and Kevin was killed, and that's all we really know."
Nikel had a professional wrestling career that included competing in WWE NXT between 2012 and 2013. He later performed in Ozark Mountain Wrestling under the name Ivan Warsaw, showcasing his athletic talents to fans across the wrestling circuit.
The case continues to develop as authorities prepare to present their evidence in court. The bond hearing scheduled for Wednesday may provide further insight into the prosecution's case against the two defendants.
