Shocking Tragedy: Wrexham AFC Co-Owner Dies Suddenly on Movie Set in Heartbreaking Twist of Fate
Los Angeles, California — April 29, 2025
The lights of Hollywood dimmed and the hearts of an entire town thousands of miles away in Wales shattered today as news broke of the sudden death of Wrexham AFC co-owner and beloved actor-producer Thomas “Tommy” Kincaid. The 45-year-old entrepreneur, known for his boundless charisma and passion for community-driven storytelling, collapsed unexpectedly on the set of his latest film, *The Iron Veil*, during a midday shoot in the Mojave Desert. He was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
Though emergency responders arrived within minutes, sources confirm Kincaid suffered a massive cardiac event, leaving cast and crew in stunned disbelief. Just hours before, he had been laughing with extras, reviewing footage with the director, and texting updates to his partner in Wrexham, all seemingly in perfect health.
The news sent shockwaves through the global football and film communities, but nowhere was the heartbreak more deeply felt than in Wrexham, North Wales. There, fans gathered spontaneously outside the Racecourse Ground, draped in red and white, leaving flowers, scarves, and handwritten notes beneath a hastily constructed memorial beneath the co-owners’ mural that now bears a black ribbon beside Kincaid’s smiling face.
“It doesn’t feel real,” said lifelong fan Gwen Morris, wiping away tears. “He didn’t just buy a football club—he gave us our pride back.”
Tommy Kincaid and his American business partner, comic actor-turned-entrepreneur Calvin Rudd, shocked the football world when they purchased Wrexham AFC in 2021. At the time, the move was met with skepticism and confusion—why would two Hollywood names invest in a down-on-its-luck club playing in the fifth tier of English football? But Kincaid’s answer was simple and sincere: “Because stories matter. And Wrexham’s story deserves to be told.”
Under their stewardship, Wrexham saw a meteoric rise, gaining promotion to League Two in 2023 and then League One a year later. But beyond the footballing success, it was Kincaid’s connection to the people that endeared him most. He often showed up unannounced at local pubs, supported community centers, and was known to personally respond to fans’ letters.
“He didn’t play a role here. He became one of us,” said club captain Paul Mullin, whose voice cracked during a statement made outside the club. “He called us his family. He meant that.”
The irony of Kincaid’s passing on a movie set is not lost on those who knew him best. His career began as an indie darling in gritty films like *Shadow Pulse* and *Stray Embers*, but it was his role as a tortured war photographer in *Fracture Line* that earned him international acclaim and an Academy Award nomination in 2016. While many expected him to ascend further into cinematic stardom, he instead stepped back, choosing projects that aligned with his values and investing in grassroots creative ventures—including the documentary series *Welcome to Wrexham*, which charted the club’s remarkable resurgence.
His latest film, *The Iron Veil*, was based on a script he co-wrote during the 2023 Hollywood strikes. Described as a “soulful thriller about identity and loss,” the production was deeply personal to Kincaid, who dedicated it to “the bridges between people.” Crew members noted he had insisted on filming in harsh conditions, even volunteering to take on dangerous stunts himself—though no accident occurred on set that day.
“We were setting up for a tracking shot,” said director Elena Marsh, her voice barely audible in a statement issued late Monday night. “Tommy was off-camera, joking with the crew as always. Then he just… went quiet. It happened in seconds.”
An autopsy is scheduled, but early reports suggest a rare cardiac arrhythmia may be to blame—an undiagnosed condition that could have lain dormant for years.
Back in Wrexham, Calvin Rudd arrived unannounced at the Racecourse Ground early Tuesday morning. Dressed in black, visibly shaken, he embraced fans at the gates and left a single red rose on the pitch. “Tommy believed in miracles,” he said in a brief statement. “Wrexham was one. And so was he.”
Tributes poured in from across the globe. Oscar-winning director Ava Liu tweeted, “A rare spirit—artist, dreamer, builder. Tommy Kincaid’s light will echo through everything he touched.” Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford wrote, “Football isn’t just business. Tommy proved it’s about heart.”
Flags at half-mast now fly over Wrexham Town Hall. The mayor’s office announced a candlelight vigil to be held at Bellevue Park on Wednesday night, expecting thousands. The Football League has confirmed that Wrexham’s upcoming fixture against Portsmouth will be postponed, honoring the request from both clubs.
In a moving message posted to the club’s website, staff and players wrote:
*”He gave us more than hope. He gave us each other. We are heartbroken. We are proud. We are Wrexham.”*
Kincaid is survived by his sister, Mara, a schoolteacher in Oregon, and his longtime partner, screenwriter Elias Chen. In a brief note shared with fans, Chen wrote:
*”Tommy loved fiercely—his art, his club, and the little things: Welsh cakes, late-night editing, the rain before dawn. If you want to remember him, tell someone a story that matters.”*
As the sun sets over both Wrexham and Hollywood, the loss of Tommy Kincaid serves as a solemn reminder that even the brightest lights can vanish without warning—but the warmth they gave lives on in those they touched. In film reels, in goal celebrations, in the spirit of a town reborn, his story continues