The Murder of Olympic Wrestler Dave Schultz by John du Pont Remembered in Philadelphia History
This week marks the anniversary of one of the most shocking crimes in the history of American amateur sports and the Philadelphia region. On January 26, 1996, chemical fortune heir John du Pont shot and killed Olympic gold medalist wrestler Dave Schultz at the Foxcatcher Farm estate in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. The tragedy ended the life of a beloved athlete and exposed the dark volatility lurking within one of the country’s wealthiest families.
Dave Schultz, who won a gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, was living on the estate with his family while coaching “Team Foxcatcher,” an elite wrestling program funded by du Pont. Known as an eccentric philanthropist and wrestling enthusiast, du Pont had built a state-of-the-art training facility on his property. While the arrangement initially provided vital financial support for USA Wrestling, the dynamic shifted as du Pont’s behavior became increasingly erratic. On the day of the killing, du Pont drove to the Schultz family home on the estate and shot the wrestler three times in the driveway while Schultz’s wife, Nancy, witnessed the assault.
Following the shooting, du Pont retreated into his mansion, leading to a tense, two-day standoff with law enforcement that gripped the nation. He was eventually captured after police cut the power to the residence, forcing him outside to check the heating boilers.
The legal aftermath brought significant objections and conflicting narratives regarding accountability. During the trial, the defense argued that du Pont was not guilty by reason of insanity, presenting evidence that he suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and believed Schultz was part of an international conspiracy against him. Prosecutors, however, contended that du Pont’s actions were calculated and driven by jealousy and drug use, arguing that his decision to barricade himself against police demonstrated a clear awareness of his guilt.
Ultimately, a jury found du Pont guilty of third-degree murder but mentally ill. He was sentenced to 13 to 30 years in prison and died incarcerated in 2010. The events at Foxcatcher Farm remain a cautionary chapter in sports history regarding the influence of unchecked wealth on amateur athletics.
