Weeks after fans were left stunned, officials finally explain what killed the AEW star known as PAC.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office has determined that PAC cause of death was bronchial asthma, according to reports citing a spokesperson for the office. The wrestler, born Benjamin Satterley, died on September 27, 2026, at age 40, and his death has now been officially classified as natural.
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PAC Cause of Death Confirmed After Weeks of Waiting
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The announcement came on October 16, nearly three weeks after Satterley was found unconscious in a vehicle in the parking lot of a CAVA restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois. He was pronounced dead at around 4 p.m. local time. The California Post first reported the medical examiner's findings, and the news quickly spread through outlets including TMZ, Larry Brown Sports and Hindustan Times.
For nearly three weeks, the exact PAC cause of death remained a mystery. The medical examiner's office had performed an autopsy right away but said toxicology work and other testing could take several weeks to complete. Early coverage noted the death did not appear suspicious, but nothing was confirmed until this month's announcement closed that gap.
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The Final Hours Before His Death
Satterley had wrestled at AEW's All Out event in Chicago on September 26, just hours before he was found unresponsive the next afternoon. That tight timeline, less than 24 hours between his last match and his death, fueled intense speculation among fans and raised hard questions about what happened in between.
AEW announced his death publicly on September 27, and the wrestling world reacted with shock. Three days later, on September 30, the company dedicated a special episode of Dynamite to him. AEW on-air personality Renee Paquette read a statement on behalf of his family during that broadcast, marking the first official words from those closest to him.
His Widow Natalie Breaks Her Silence
On October 12, Satterley's wife Natalie shared her own tribute publicly for the first time since his death. Writing on Instagram, she said simply, "Thank you for our beautiful life darling." She described a relationship that spanned two decades, noting they had been friends for 21 years, in love for 19 years, and married for 11 years.
Natalie called her husband her "best friend and better half," writing, "Two souls entwined in one." She said the loss of their shared future felt cruel, and that she and the couple's dog, Wilfie, would now try to look after each other. She closed her message by saying they would miss him "every minute, of every hour, of every day." The family's earlier statement, read on Dynamite, began with the words, "We are completely devastated to have lost our beautiful Ben."
A Career Built on Speed and Reinvention
Fans around the world knew Satterley by different names depending on where they watched him wrestle. In WWE, he performed as Neville, known for a highflying style that set him apart from much of the roster. By the time of his death, he had rebuilt his career in AEW under the name PAC, earning a reputation as one of the most technically gifted performers in the sport.
His sudden passing, coming immediately after a major AEW show, hit the wrestling community hard. Tributes poured in from performers connected to both WWE and AEW, including Becky Lynch, Finn Bálor and William Regal. The confirmation that PAC cause of death was bronchial asthma, and that the manner was natural, has now given fans and colleagues a concrete answer after weeks of uncertainty.
What Remains Unknown and What Comes Next
The reporting so far does not say whether Satterley had a known history of severe asthma or whether an acute attack struck suddenly before his death. No further medical review, legal proceeding or additional testing has been reported since the medical examiner's announcement.
There is no confirmed memorial event or tribute match scheduled at this time, though AEW has already honored him once with a dedicated episode of Dynamite. For now, the official record stands: Benjamin Satterley, known to the world as PAC, died of bronchial asthma on September 27, 2026, and his death has been ruled natural by Cook County officials.
