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How did Brodie Lee aka Luke Harper die? AEW and WWE legend's death at 41 sparks wave of tributes on Boxing Day

In 2012, he signed WWE's contract as Luke Harper before he debuted in NXT as a member of The Wyatt Family. Huber left WWE in 2019 and made his AEW debut in March 2020 as Mr Brodie Lee

WWE wrestler Jonathan Huber, better known by his stage names Brodie Lee and Luke Harper, died on Friday, December 26, which also happens to be Boxing Day. All Elite Wrestling's Twitter handle shared the sad news with fans.

"#RipBrodieLee," AEW posted on December 26 with an image of Lee and a note that read, "Jon Huber 1979 -2020. The All Elite Wrestling family is heartbroken. In an industry filled with good people, Jon Huber was exceptionally respected and beloved in every way — a fierce and captivating talent, a thoughtful mentor and simply a very kind soul that starkly contradicted his persona as Mr Brodie Lee."

"Jon's love for his wife Amanda, and children Brodie and Nolan, was evident to all of us who were fortunate to spend time with him, and we send our love and support to his beautiful family, today and always. Jon's popularity among his peers and influences on the wrestling world was worldwide and transcended AEW, so this loss will be felt by many for a long time. We were privileged at AEW to call Jon Huber a brother, a friend and one of our own," the post added.

Lee's wife, Amanda Huber (also a professional wrestler known as Synndy Synn) shared a heartfelt message on Instagram saying, "My best friend died today. I never wanted to write out those words. My heart is broken. The world saw him as the amazing @brodielee (fka Luke Harper) but he was my best friend, my husband, and the greatest father you would ever meet. No words can express the love I feel or how broken I am right now. He passed surrounded by love ones after a hard fought battle with a non-Covid related lung issue."

"The @mayoclinic is literally the best team of doctors and nurses in the world who surrounded me with constant love." She further said, "I’ve been surrounded by so much love and incredible people I can’t tag them all but they know who they are and I don’t think they will ever know how thankful I am for them." Amanda's post indicated that Jonathan died after battling a lungs-related issue.

Born on December 16, 1979, Jonathan Huber, known as Luke Harper (and briefly Harper) in WWE and in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as Mr Brodie Lee, worked on the independent circuit from 2003 to 2012, most notably in Chikara, Squared Circle Wrestling (2CW), Ring of Honor (ROH), Dragon Gate USA (DGUSA), and internationally for Dragon Gate in Japan.

In 2012, he signed WWE's contract as Luke Harper and was sent to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) before he debuted in NXT as a member of The Wyatt Family.

Huber left WWE in December 2019 and made his AEW debut in March 2020 as "Mr Brodie Lee", revealing himself to be "The Exalted One", the previously anonymous leader of The Dark Order faction where he won the AEW TNT Championship in August. Huber got married to fellow professional wrestler Synndy Synn. He has two sons Brodie, born in January 2012 and Nolan, born on December 2017.

The news of his death sent shockwaves across social media. Wrestler Allie wrote, "I wish I could type out what I’m feeling but I’m just so sad. My heart hurts. You were one of the best. You will be so terribly missed, Brodie. #RipBrodieLee." Wrestlers The Bella Twins Nikki and Brie said, "Lost for words!! Jon was an amazing person and father. Always so sweet and helpful. I loved seeing his son, Brodie, watch him wrestle. He was always so proud! Sending love and prayers to his family! #RipBrodieLee"

Fans too expressed their condolences on social media, as one fan said, "We are extremely heartbroken by the passing of Brodie Lee. Without Brodie Lee, there is no Alpha-1 A professional in every way One of the best in every way We love you Brodie Lee Thank you  #RIPBrodieLee." Another wrote, "Seeing the love pour out for Brodie Lee just shows that wrestling lost another diamond. Shine on Brodie"