Wander Franco Suicide – Wander Franco, a Dominican professional baseball shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball, has allegedly passed away. In August 2023, allegations that Franco had engaged in a relationship with an underage girl initially surfaced on social media.
On August 14, the Rays placed Franco on the restricted list while the MLB conducted an investigation. On August 23, MLB placed him on administrative leave. On August 12, 2023, he participated in his final game of the season.
Prior to the accusations becoming widely known on social media, an original complaint alleging Franco had had an improper relationship was purportedly made on July 17. ESPN said on August 30 that police were looking into allegations made by a third minor girl, and that a second minor girl had accused Franco of having an improper connection.
In the Dominican Republic, 18 is the legal age of consent. Wander Franco was said to have died by suicide. Franco was in the middle of his third MLB season when the charges emerged.
Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have decided to prolong Wander Franco’s administrative league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays through July 14. June 1 was the date Franco’s administrative leave was supposed to end. The extension is a procedural measure intended to give a prospective criminal case additional time to develop.
Since the initial reports of his alleged improper contact with a kid arose in August of last year, Franco has not been affiliated with the Rays. Although the Dominican Republic, where Franco is originally from, is still conducting an inquiry, he has not yet been charged with a crime.
Prosecutors presented about 600 pages of evidence in January, demonstrating that Franco had a romantic relationship with a 14-year-old girl and had given her mother money and a car in return for her approval. Franco was charged with money laundering and “commercial sexual exploitation” by the prosecution.
It is until July 5th for authorities to formally charge someone. Since January, there have been no fresh updates, and it is unclear when the probe would come to an end. Until the matter is resolved, Franco’s administrative leave status might change before July 14.