SCRANTON -- Former pro-wrestler Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka is charged with third degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in Lehigh County, decades after the death of his girlfriend.
Snuka is a wrestling legend who made several appearances in northeastern Pennsylvania over the years, wrestling at the former Catholic Youth Center in Scranton.
“He got the name ‘Superfly’ because he jumped off the top rope and back then that was unheard of and he did a big splash and people have imitated him a hundred different ways and times and everything, but he was the first guy to really do that,” said David Romeo Junior, who owns Comics on the Green in Scranton. "A lot of people who just remember wrestling from the era will mention him. They'll mention him. They'll mention Hulk Hogan and Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka."
A grand jury found enough evidence to charge the former pro-wrestler, now in his 70s, with third degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.
He is accused of beating his girlfriend Nancy Argentino in 1983. The two were staying at the George Washington Motor Lodge in Whitehall near Allentown. Argentino later died.
"The weight of the evidence clearly indicates that James Snuka repeatedly assaulted Nancy Argentino on May 10, 1983, and then allowed her to lie in their bed at the George Washington Motor Lodge,” said Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin.
The case was cold until 2013 when Argentino's sisters asked authorities to re-open the investigation.
"Came to me as a big surprise more or less in shock, didn't expect it from him or really any of those guys because I looked up to them ever since I was a little kid,” said Domenick Dipasquale of Dickson City.
Newswatch 16 spoke with several people in the Scranton area who remember Snuka and other big name wrestlers coming to town.
"Between the Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton area, the wrestlers often performed at house shows at CYC and Saint Joe's gym and everything like that and Jimmy made the rounds. He was everywhere,” said Romeo.
Snuka is free on bail awaiting his next court date in Lehigh County. His family members said he is suffering from stomach cancer.