One of the key accusers in the “ring boy” scandal that saw WWE being hit with multiple sexual misconduct allegations in the 1980s and early 1990s has committed suicide. According to the brother of Tom Cole, he committed suicide on Friday. Lee Cole took to Twitter, saying,
“My brother Tom Committed suicide a couple of hours ago. Vince Mc Mahon and his wife Linda let child molesters into their companies years ago and did everything possible to cover up what they did to my brother. I hope you can sleep good at night Vince. Our family suffers. Thank U”
For those unaware, Tom Cole worked as a WWE “ring boy” in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and eventually accused Terry Garvin and announcer Mel Phillips of sexual harassment. During an interview back in 1999, he said that Garvin offered him a warehouse job and drove him back to his home. When they arrived, Garvin’s wife and kids were there. When they weren’t, he said that he’d forgotten that his family was in Florida. Cole claimed Garvin played a pornographic video and offered to perform oral sex. When he refused, Garvin refused to take him home. This led to Cole sleeping in Garvin’s van. When Garvin dropped him off at the warehouse the next day, Phillips told him that Garvin no longer wanted him to work there.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
My brother Tom Committed suicide a couple of hours ago. Vince Mc Mahon and his wife Linda let child molesters into their companies years ago and did everything possible to cover up what they did to my brother. I hope you can sleep good at night Vince. Our family suffers. Thank U
— leecole3 (@leeroycole) February 13, 2021
Local Interview with Tom Cole Protest Outside WWF https://t.co/Z9Y0MX17a2 via @YouTube
please pass this on, my brother is gone because of the guilt and shame that the WWE caused him. He asked Jerry McDevitt COUNSOL FOR WWE to help him with therapy . He said no. Shame ON YOU!
— leecole3 (@leeroycole) February 13, 2021
We are talking about grown men that molested children for a long period of time in the WWE. Did other men like my Brother Tom, kill themselves because of the pain. The McMahons covered for Patterson, Garvin and Phillips, who else did they cover for.
— leecole3 (@leeroycole) February 13, 2021
This is my brother Tom when he was 14 years old wearing a WWF cap. This is when the WWE starting grooming him. Mel Phillips would find good looking kids and groom them with lies about working for WWE. VINCE STOOD BYE AND LET IT HAPPEN. He seen these kids everyday. As did Linda! pic.twitter.com/CJSWfSDG2j
— leecole3 (@leeroycole) February 13, 2021
My brother was a good man, a good father until the pain was to much to bear. Remember this company WWE would take underage children across state lines. He was a perfect victim, father not around and alcoholic mother. These men knew what to look for.
— leecole3 (@leeroycole) February 13, 2021
