Evan Tanner (February 11, 1971 – September 8, 2008) was an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. He was a former UFC Middleweight and USWF Heavyweight champion with a professional record of 32 wins and 8 losses. He was also the first American to win the Pancrase Neo-Blood tournament in Tokyo, Japan.
Death of Evan Tanner
According to San Diego Union-Tribune, Tanner was found Monday, September 8, 2008 in the Palo Verde mountain area, the Imperial Valley Press has reported.
Tanner, 37, had embarked on a camping trip some time around Sept. 2 into the desert-like region north of Brawley, Calif., approximately two and a half hours east of San Diego.
Sherdog.com has ascertained various unconfirmed reports that Tanner’s body was identified Monday and that relatives have been notified. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.
Deana Epperson, who grew up across the street from Tanner and his family in his hometown of Amarillo, Texas, said she’d been told that the fighter had texted friends in Oceanside as late as Thursday, telling them that he’d run out of water and gas for his motorcycle. Authorities were then contacted to try and locate the fighter.