from sherdog.com

Ryan Gracie Found Dead at 33

Saturday, December 15, 2007
by Gleidson Venga (gvenga@sherdog.com)

Ryan Gracie (Pictures) was found dead Saturday in a jail cell at the 91st police station, in Vila Leopoldina, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The 33-year-old Gracie, who fought as a mixed martial artist exclusively for the now defunct PRIDE Fighting Championships and was the brother of Renzo Gracie (Pictures), was arrested on Friday for stealing a car and trying to steal a bike. The fighter had been transported to the station after a toxicological examination held in the Medical Legal Institute.

According to the Secretary of Public Security, the body of Gracie was found around 7 a.m. when police were checking the cells of prisoners. Gracie was alone and was found fallen into a corner.

Experts of the Medical Legal Institute could not be reached Saturday to make the necessary examinations and direct the body of the fighter to the institute. According to his lawyer, Rodrigo Souto, the cause of death has not been disclosed by police.

Gracie was 5-2 as a mixed martial artist. After starting 1-2, including a decision loss to Kazushi Sakuraba (Pictures) in December 2000, Gracie went 4-0. His last win -- and fight -- came on Dec. 31, 2004, when he defeated Yoji Anjo by armbar.