Published: Feb 6, 2026 by Connel Rumsey | Last Updated: Feb 6, 2026 by Connel Rumsey
Connel has over five years of wrestling journalism experience writing about some of the biggest stories from across the wrestling world. Being a fan for 20 years, Connel has an expansive knowledge from a wide range of various wrestling promotions, including WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA and Joshi.@connel1405
WWE/Instagram (AjaSmithWWE)
WWE referee Daphanie LaShaunn (Aja Smith) has announced that she lost four family members in a house fire last night.
Taking to Instagram, Daphanie shared the news of her family tragedy, writing:
My heart aches. Last night I lost my grandma, grandpa, uncle, and cousin in a house fire. We were at the scene til the very end.. My soul is hollow right now. Please pray for my family as we navigate this unbelievable nightmare. Planning 4 funerals and rebuilding is gonna be tough. My cousin, A family of 7 with 5 kids, are now displaced with nothing to their name. Anything helps even a repost. I’ve posted the gofundme link in my bio and I’ll also add it to my story. Thank you all so much.
Daphanie and her family have set up a GoFundMe link to aid the family, which you can donate to here.
We send our best wishes out to Daphanie and her family following this tragic loss.
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