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The body of missing former WWE star Shad Gaspard has washed up on Venice Beach, three days after he was swept out to sea while swimming with his son. 

LAPD and LAFD were called to the scene early Wednesday morning after two people discovered a body on the sand halfway between Venice Beach pier and lifeguard headquarters at 1.25am, police said. 

'The decedent was identified as Shad Gaspard and next of kin was notified,' LAPD said in a statement.  

Gaspard, 39, had been missing since Sunday afternoon after he was swept out to sea by a rip tide while swimming with his 10-year-old son, Aryeh. 

The wrestler reportedly told lifeguards to rescue his son first, who was pulled from the water in good condition and did not require hospitalization. 

But lifeguards were unable to rescue Gaspard, who was about 50 yards offshore when a 'wave crashed over' him  and pulled him out into the ocean.  

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Former WWE star Shad Gaspard, 39, has been missing since Sunday after being pulled into sea while swimming at California's Venice Beach with his son 

A body matching the description of the missing father washed up ashore early Wednesday morning. Video footage from the scene shows authorities standing around a lifeless body on the sand early 

Police were called to the scene after two people discovered the body on the sand around 1.30am 

LA County lifeguards confirmed the body matches the description of missing father and wrestler Shad Gaspard 

Video footage taken on Wednesday morning shows authorities surrounding the wrestler's lifeless body as it lay on the sand.

Gaspard was found on the surfline at 2600 Ocean Walk - one mile north from where he drowned on Sunday, police told DailyMail.com.  

His wife of 11 years, Siliana Gaspard was seen standing in front of the spot where the former pro-wrestler's body washed up overnight, with a group of family members and friends.   

Later in the day, the family were all huddled together in what appeared to be a small prayer circle. Gaspard's young son was not with them. 

Kenichi Haskett, Section Chief with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Lifeguard Services said the body was transported to the LA County Coroner's office.   

With Memorial weekend approaching, he warned beachgoers to stay safe and informed about the water conditions. 

Although most beaches generally have signs or flags to indicate safe or unsafe swimming conditions, this type of warning system does not work on the Venice Beach coastline.

Haskett revealed Gaspard had been pulled out about 75 to 100 yards off shore in just a moment's notice.

'Having been an ocean lifeguard since 1994 and worked Venice Beach during this time frame to now a full-time lifeguard and chief, I can say our conditions change on an hourly, if not a moment's notice,' he told DailyMail.com.

Gaspard's distraught wife Siliana Gaspard was seen leaving Venice Beach in her Mercedes SUV, Wednesday morning

Gaspard's wife Siliana Gaspard was seen leading a small group of family and friends near the site where her husband's body washed up on shore at about 2am

The family appeared downcast as they walked along the shore where the wrestler's body was found 

Friends and family members were seen embracing hours after authorities recovered Gaspard's body 

'It could be yellow where we put that flag, and then within a moment it's red because a rip current has now surfaced. So what we do instead is staff the lifeguard towers in those areas.

'The flag system at this time isn't the best system to save people's lives and protect people. It's us talking to people, it's us warning people, it's us making the preventive measures as to where people can swim.' 

Siliana Gaspard had issued a statement on Instagram on Tuesday thanking authorities for their efforts and holding on to hope for her husband's safe return. 

'We would like to express our gratitude to the first responders who rescued Aryeh and to the lifeguards, coast guard, divers, fire and police departments for their continued efforts to help find our beloved Shad,' the statement said.

'Shad is a fighter, a warrior and a magical soul. We are hoping and praying for his safe return. As a family we thank you all for your concern and well wishes. Please continue to keep sending your positivity and prayers to our beloved Shad.' 

The US Coast Guard confirmed on Tuesday it was no longer assisting in the search and the investigation was being led by LAPD.  

Tributes have poured in from wrestling stars including Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Titus O'Neill and Triple H, after news broke of the discovery. 

'My prayers and hope for Shad Gaspard’s wife, son and family during this unthinkable time. Man, this is a tough one. A really tough one. Great guy,' The Rock tweeted.   

'I join fans around the world as we remember Shad Gaspard as a beloved performer and a caring father. In absolutely tragic circumstances, please keep his loved ones in your thoughts,' Triple H said. 

Friends released a statement on behalf of the family on Monday night thanking the public for their support. 

Gaspard's wife Siliana Gaspard shared a statement on Instagram on Tuesday, thanking authorities for their efforts, while still holding on to hope 

Gaspard's wife posted this missing flyer to his social media accounts and hers asking the public for help in finding her husband

'[Shad's] family appreciates all the love, support, and concern through this horrible ordeal. At this time they are not ready to make any public or official statements to any media outlet And ask all to respect their wishes', Fellow wrestler Kofi Kingston tweeted. 

Several friends and members of the wrestling community, including Montel Vontavious Porter, also tweeted the message at the request of the family.  

Fellow WWE star JTG, who performed alongside Gaspard in wrestling tag team, 'Cryme Tyme', took to Twitter to share a screenshot of a heartfelt conversation he had the missing wrestler in January. 

'If ever I die tomorrow just know I love you as a brother and friend for ever even past this life', Gaspard wrote, to which JTG replied: 'Love you too brotha #Nohomo'.

DailyMail.com was there as multiple lifeguards were on the scene on Sunday, along with divers, rescue boats, paramedics on standby, the coast guard flying back and forth and helicopters hovering over the crowded beach for nearly three hours. 

'I saw the young boy who was inconsolable and his mother who had her arms wrapped around him,' said one onlooker. 'The whole thing was just heartbreaking, absolutely heartbreaking to see this mother and child in complete despair.'

Shad Gaspard's wife, Siliana Gaspard, was seen leaving Venice Beach being comforted by close friends after a tragic incident Sunday

Siliana was seen flanked by close friends as they left Venice Beach while divers continue their search for Shad Gaspard 

On Monday afternoon Gaspard's wife Siliana was seen on the beach being consoled by close friends as the search continued for her husband. 

The boy was unharmed and later walked off the beach with an adult friend for about fifteen minutes, while his mother Siliana Gaspard remained on the beach painstakingly staring out into the ocean.

'We had one of our lifeguards go out to make a double rescue of a father and a son,' Kenichi Haskett, Los Angeles County Fire Dept Lifeguard Division told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview. 

'The father unfortunately got pushed down by a wave as they were getting pulled out of the current. The lifeguard rescued and grabbed the boy, the son, and tried to grab the father as well. 

'He ended up getting pushed down by a wave and we couldn't find him and we immediately started with our rescue boats, called in additional lifeguards to search that location of his dad.' 

Gaspard is best known as a member of the wrestling team Cryme Tyme with fellow WWE star JTG. 

Since leaving the wrestling world in 2010, Gaspard pursued an acting career starring in several movies including Think Like A Man Too and the 2015 Kevin Hart comedy, Get Hard.

He married wife Siliana Gaspard in 2009 and they share one son together. 

Friends of Gaspard released a statement on behalf of the family thanking the public for their support. Former fellow wrestler Matt Morgan took to Twitter to shared photos of him and his friend through the years (pictured) 

A tent has been set up by the Los Angeles County Fire Department in the search for Shad Gaspard 

The boy's mother Siliana Gaspard remained on the beach Sunday evening and was seen staring out into the ocean while the coast guard conducted a search

The mother and a few friends left the beach at about 12:30pm. The rescue station was also shut down at the same time.

Prior to leaving, Siliana was seen sitting on the beach with some friends and possible family members who were consoling her and rubbing her back. 

Their son had left about 30 minutes prior with an adult and another young boy. Officials wouldn't confirm whether or not the body had been found. 

Helicopters can still be heard hovering over the beach and many locals are asking the question why the beach wasn't closed off if the rip currents were so strong.

'There were unusually strong rip currents the day before this happened. Two girls were pulled out because of the riptide. I am not sure why swimmers weren't warned,' Daisy Godfrey tells DailyMail.com. 'Lifeguards were there immediately but the helicopter took almost an hour to get there.' 'If you feel a strong pull, that's the time to get out of the water. But many swimmers may not think anything of the pull, especially if they don't go to the beach a lot.'    

Gaspard (left)  is best known as a member of the wrestling team Cryme Tyme with fellow WWE star JTG (pictured together)