Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Natosha Zoeanna Adkisson |
| Date of Birth | October 19, 1978 |
| Date of Death | December 29, 1978 |
| Age at Death | Infant |
| Father | David Alan Adkisson (David Von Erich) |
| Mother | Candy L. McLeod |
| Paternal Grandparents | Jack Barton “Fritz Von Erich” Adkisson and Doris J. Smith |
| Birthplace | Dallas area, Texas |
| Burial | Grove Hill Memorial Park, Dallas, Texas |
| Notable Context | Infant daughter in the prominent Von Erich/Adkisson wrestling family |
A Brief Life in a Larger Story
In the long, complex tapestry of American wrestling history, some threads are heartbreakingly short. One such thread belongs to Natosha Zoeanna Adkisson, born October 19, 1978, and gone by December 29, 1978. She entered the world in the shadow of a family name that drew crowds across Texas and beyond—the Von Erichs—and, in her brief time, became part of a narrative that has stirred hearts for decades. Her life reminds us that even the smallest lights can leave a glow.
Her father, David Alan Adkisson, better known to fans as David Von Erich, was a rising star in World Class Championship Wrestling during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Tall, charismatic, and intense in the ring, David carried the banner of the Von Erich family—a dynasty rooted in Texas grit and showmanship. He married Candy L. McLeod on June 26, 1978, in Denton, Texas, just months before Natosha’s birth. The young couple’s joy was quickly reshaped by grief as the year drew to a close.
Natosha’s passing was widely described at the time as a sudden infant death—an unexpected, devastating event that left few answers. The tragedy put an enormous strain on her parents. In the months that followed, their marriage ended; the divorce was recorded in 1979. The family pressed forward, as families must, but the loss became a quiet part of their story, folded into the larger arc of triumphs and trials that came to define the Von Erich name.
The Von Erich Context
To understand the resonance of Natosha’s life, even in its brevity, is to understand the stage on which it was set. The Von Erich family—led by patriarch Fritz (born Jack Barton Adkisson) and his wife Doris—built a wrestling empire in Texas. Their sons stepped into the ring with high expectations and roaring crowds, each carrying both the name and the weight of it. David stood out as a natural—gifted on the microphone, formidable in the ring, and often described as the future of the promotion. He died in 1984, an early and shocking loss that deepened the family’s public sorrow.
Within this storied lineage, Natosha is remembered not for athletic glory, but for the fragility and preciousness of life. In family retrospectives and cemetery tours, her marker appears alongside those of relatives, a small inscription within a larger field of memory. She serves, quietly, as a reminder that behind the ring entrances and titles are real people—parents, children, loved ones—whose joys and griefs unfold away from the spotlight.
Timeline at a Glance
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 26, 1978 | Marriage of David Alan Adkisson and Candy L. McLeod in Denton, Texas |
| October 19, 1978 | Birth of Natosha Zoeanna Adkisson |
| December 29, 1978 | Death of Natosha in infancy |
| 1979 | Divorce of David and Candy recorded |
| 1984 | Death of David Von Erich |
Family Ties: Names That Shaped a Legacy
- Father: David Alan Adkisson (David Von Erich)
- A cornerstone of World Class Championship Wrestling in the early 1980s, known for his intensity and charisma. His untimely passing in 1984 ensured his legend and his family’s story would remain in the public eye.
- Mother: Candy L. McLeod
- Married David in mid-1978. After their daughter’s death, she and David separated; the divorce was finalized the following year.
- Paternal Grandparents: Jack Barton “Fritz Von Erich” Adkisson and Doris J. Smith
- Fritz, both patriarch and promoter, helped shape Texas wrestling into a regional powerhouse, embedding the family’s name in sports history.
From top to bottom, the family’s story is one of bright lights and long shadows. For many, the Von Erich name evokes not only packed arenas and championship belts, but the endurance of a family that faced extraordinary public and private losses.
Resting Place and Remembrance
Natosha is buried at Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas, a cemetery connected to the family’s history and visited by fans tracing the narrative across headstones and dates. Her grave, small and solemn, is part of the quiet geography of memory. Visitors often note the way her marker underscores the depth of the Von Erich saga: beyond the ring, beyond the show, there were lives lived, loved, and grieved.
In community recollections and family histories, Natosha’s name appears gently, respectfully. She’s often mentioned in the same breath as her father, a bridge between private sorrow and public remembrance. It’s a testament to how families carry their stories—whole and incomplete—across generations.
Numbers, Dates, and the Echo of Time
The dates themselves feel stark: 10–12 weeks between birth and death, two months of parenthood that began with hope and ended in heartbreak. One marriage formed in June; one divorce recorded the next year. One headstone. One family that bore the weight of many losses over many years. In these numbers, small and spare, lies a human tale that needs little embellishment—the kind of story that makes the heart draw a breath and hold it.
FAQ
Who were Natosha’s parents?
Her parents were professional wrestler David Alan Adkisson (known as David Von Erich) and Candy L. McLeod.
When was Natosha born and when did she pass away?
She was born on October 19, 1978, and died on December 29, 1978.
How did she die?
Her death was widely described as a sudden infant or crib death.
Where is she buried?
She is buried at Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas.
Did Natosha have siblings?
No; she died in infancy, and her parents separated soon after.
What happened to her parents after her passing?
David and Candy divorced in 1979; David continued wrestling until his death in 1984.
Why is her name still remembered?
Her life is part of the broader and much-discussed history of the Von Erich family, a legendary wrestling dynasty.
Was her father famous?
Yes; David Von Erich was a major figure in World Class Championship Wrestling and a fan favorite in the early 1980s.
