Bombshell update in death of Hulk Hogan as new details emerge during investigation

The family of Hulk Hogan has confirmed a major update following an investigation into the legendary wrestler's death.

Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, passed away on 24 July at the age of 71, with reports at the time claiming that he had suffered a cardiac arrest.

Tributes quickly flooded in for the US performer, who enjoyed a hugely successful career in the WWE, with his family confirming the news on his official Instagram page.

They wrote: "It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we confirm we have lost a legend.

"Our beloved Terry Bollea, known worldwide as Hulk Hogan, passed away today surrounded by his loved ones. At this time of grief, we ask that everyone please respect the privacy of his family and friends.

"May we all take solace in the wonderful memories he left behind for the millions of fans worldwide whose lives he touched for more than four decades. He will be missed, but never forgotten."

However, the family have now dropped a significant update on the media personality, suggesting that his death may have been due to medical malpractice, rather than the aforementioned cardiac arrest.

It no longer seems that Hogan died from a cardiac arrest (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Speaking to TMZ, Hogan's widow Sky suggested that her husband's phrenic nerve was 'compromised' during one of his recent surgeries, but details of his autopsy are yet to be released despite it going ahead.

Clearwater Police Department also confirmed to the outlet that the investigation into his death is ongoing, with Hogan yet to be cremated as further health tests take place in the wake of his passing.

They 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."

TMZ also claim that a therapist was present when Hogan's medical situation became an emergency, and they had claimed that a recent surgery had severed his phrenic nerve. This nerve helps to control breathing in the diaphragm, and it seems as if the sporting icon simply stopped breathing in his home.

Hulk Hogan had a fractured relationship with his daughter Brooke in their later years (KMazur/WireImage)

A 911 emergency was placed when his family realised this but he would later die in a hospital close to his home in Clearwater, Florida.

Although Hogan was a beloved figure in the world of wrestling, he did temporarily lose his place in the WWE Hall of Fame due to a number of controversies throughout his career.

That included admitting that he was a racist when his daughter Brooke brought home a black boyfriend, and that was just one of several fractured moments in his relationship with the TV personality and singer.

She confirmed the last conversation she had with her father and it certainly implied that they weren't close, while she also spoke out after not attending his funeral.