Former WWE star Jimmy Snuka charged with third-degree murder in 1983 girlfriend's death

Former WWE aerial specialist Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, 72, has been charged with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in an incident that took place over three decades ago.

The victim was 23-year-old Nancy Argentino, who was dating Snuka at the time. She was pronounced dead at the scene after authorities were called to a hotel room in Allentown, Pa., in May 1983.

An autopsy revealed she died from traumatic brain injuries, with more than two dozen cuts and bruises all over her body, according to the Morning Call's Manuel Gamiz Jr.

The case was re-opened last year after the never-before-seen autopsy report revealed her death to be a homicide, with her brain injuries coming from "a moving head striking a stationary object." A 4,500-word piece from the Morning Call exposing discrepancies in the case also played a part in it being re-opened.

Her family won a wrongful death suit in 1985 for $500,000, with Snuka never paying the fees because he was broke and couldn't afford a legal defense.

The WWE Hall of Famer was reportedly arraigned Tuesday afternoon, with his bond set at $100,000 while being held at Lehigh County Jail.

Snuka maintained his innocence in his 2012 autobiography, saying how accusations of him being the culprit essentially ruined his life.

"Many terrible things have been written about me hurting Nancy and being responsible for her death, but they are not true," Snuka wrote. "This has been very hard on me and very hard on my family. To this day, I get nasty notes and threats. It hurts. I never hit Nancy or threatened her."

World Wrestling Entertainment released the following statement Tuesday concerning Snuka's charges: "WWE expresses its continued sympathy to the Argentino family for their loss. Ultimately this legal matter will be decided by our judicial system."