Wrestler Chris Benoit, Wife and Child Found Dead

HOON69 · 26-06-2007, 04:38 PM

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pa...Y&pageId=1.1.1

Quote:

Pro wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife and 7-year-old son were found slain Monday at their Fayetteville home, authorities said.

Detective Bo Turner told television station WAGA that the case was being investigated as a murder-suicide, but said that could not be confirmed until the evidence was examined by a crime lab.

WAGA reported that investigators believe Benoit killed his wife and son over the weekend, and then himself sometime Monday.

A concerned neighbor called police. The bodies were found in three different rooms.

The lead investigator, Sheriff's Lt. Tommy Pope, told The Associated Press that the deaths were being investigated as homicide, and said the cause of death awaited autopsy results on Tuesday.

Pope said the three were found about 2:30 p.m., but he would release no other details about the deaths at the house in a subdivision near White Water Country Club.

World Wrestling Entertainment said on its Web site that Benoit, 40, his wife, Nancy, and son, who was named Daniel, were found dead, but also had no other details.

Benoit, a native of Canada, was a former world heavyweight champion, Intercontinental champion and held several tag-team titles over his career.

"WWE extends its sincerest thoughts and prayers to the Benoit family's relatives and loved ones in this time of tragedy," the federation said in a statement on its Web site.

Benoit was scheduled to perform at the "Vengeance" pay-per-view event Sunday night in Houston, but was replaced at the last minute because of what announcer Jim Ross called "personal reasons."

Benoit maintained a home in metro Atlanta from the time he wrestled for the defunct World Championship Wrestling.

The WWE canceled its live "Monday Night RAW" card in Corpus Christi, Texas, and USA Network aired a three-hour tribute to Benoit in place of the scheduled wrestling telecast.

Benoit's wife managed several wrestlers and went by the stage name, "Woman," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on its Web site.

They met when her then-husband drew up a script that had them involved in a relationship as part of an ongoing storyline on World Championship Wrestling, the newspaper said.

Benoit has two other children from a prior relationship.

The federal-style house is in a secluded neighborhood set back about 60 yards off a gravel road, surrounded by stacked stone wall and double-iron gate.

Monday night, the house was dark except for a few outside lights. There was a police car in front, and two uniformed officers.

DoreSlamR · 26-06-2007, 04:47 PM

This story has left me feeling ill, i don't really know how to feel about it..The loss of probably my all time favourite wrestler is saddening, but..murdering his wife and son thats the part thats making me feel ill..mixed emotions here.

This is a sad day for wrestling.

tankclare · 26-06-2007, 04:50 PM

**** aye..thats bit of a shock

RIP chris and family

get_an_ea_today · 26-06-2007, 05:00 PM

Arh he was one of my fav wrestlers R.I.P Chris.

DoreSlamR · 26-06-2007, 05:13 PM

Latest news report...

Benoit's death part of a double murder-suicide
Written: June 25, 2007

According to lead investigator Lt. Tommy Pope, of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department, in Fayetteville, Ga., the deaths of WWE Superstar Chris Benoit, wife Nancy and son Daniel were the result of a double murder-suicide, WWE.com has learned.

Benoit failed to appear both at Saturday's live event in Beaumont, Tx., and WWE's Vengeance: Night of Champions in Houston Sunday night, after informing WWE of a family emergency. Several curious text messages sent by Benoit early Sunday morning prompted concerned friends to alert Richard Hering, VP of Government Relations for WWE, Inc. Hering, in turn, spoke with Fayette County sheriffs Monday, and requested that they respond to the Benoit residence to check on him and his family.

Authorities representing the Sheriff's Department initially had a difficult time entering Benoit's new Fayetteville home Monday afternoon, which had been guarded by two large German Shepherds roaming freely around the property. Once authorities entered the residence, they quickly located the bodies of Benoit, Nancy and Daniel. WWE was notified of the discovery at approximately 4 p.m.

At 10 p.m. Monday night, Lt. Pope held a press conference in conjunction with Scott Ballard, the district attorney for Fayette County. The press conference officially ruled authorities' findings as a double murder-suicide from within the home.

WAGA, a FOX-owned and operated television station in Atlanta, reported that investigators believe Benoit killed his wife and 7-year-old son over the weekend, then himself on Monday.

The three bodies have been received by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's crime lab, in Decatur, Ga., where autopsies will be performed Tuesday morning. Toxicology reports will not become available for at least two weeks.

WWE.com has further information relating to both the investigation and the cause of death, but the Fayette County Sheriff's Department has requested that WWE.com not release any additional details at this time.

big_pete · 26-06-2007, 05:17 PM

poor kid

BigAL_250 · 26-06-2007, 05:51 PM

Holy, *****. that's, ahh, wow, deeply shocking.

Gee, kinda weird though, this happening on the day when WWE was to air a special memorial show for the 'death' of Mr. McMahon, now they have to do a real memorial.

Bossxr8 · 26-06-2007, 06:15 PM

Wonder what tripped him over the edge. You think a person who seemingly is quite successful wouldn't do something like that.

onfire · 26-06-2007, 06:16 PM

Shocking. Really shocking.

Theres more and more reports coming out.

Quote:

My second cousin is an officer with GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigations) and what he's heard in his circle is that Chirs Benoit's wife killed their son Daniel, called Chris and told him to rush home because of an emergency which is why he missed last Sunday's Vengeance PPV. Upon arriving home Benoit killed his wife in a rage for the death of his son and then killed himself Monday morning. His wife's body was found in the master bedroom, strangled with the cord from an alarm clock. The son's body was found in his room appearantly suffocated with a garbage bag. Chris then wrote a suicide note explaining what had happened, apologized to his family, his other children (from a seperate relationship), and his fans. He the fasioned a slip-knot noose from from rope taken from the garage and hung himself from the ballaster in the foyer of his suburban Atlanta home."

Quote:

Keller's Audio Update

-He said it is being reported he suffocated his wife and son, perhaps a day apart. And then hung himself. Late Sunday night, he sent a strange text message to a person within the WWE. The police broke into the house at 2:30 pm today and found them in separate rooms.

-Vince called all the wrestlers backstage this afternoon for an emergency meeting. Wrestler were already bawling and crying. A longtime WWE wrestler said it was the most emotional state he's ever seen the wrestlers.

-There was a really uneasy feeling Sunday. Everybody felt something was wrong.

-One wrestler said "It was bound to happen". There was a strong suspicion backstage that Benoit did this right away. There was also a suspicion that Nancy had done it. They had a volatile relationship and everyone knew it.

-Hardly anybody backstage really knew Benoit. He had a very small inner circle that one time included Eddy Guerrero and recently included Chavo Guerrero. But even they had a certain psychological distance from Benoit. Everyone could tell that something wasn't right lately with Benoit.

-He said that he was a very nice and pleasant person to be around, but a person close to Benoit said that Chris had "snap potential".

-A lot of steroids were found in the Benoit household, and Benoit has had bouts with "roid rages". WWE may suffer publicly because of their unenforced "Wellness Policy".

Sledgehammer · 26-06-2007, 06:18 PM

Tragic is the only word.

AU2PWR · 26-06-2007, 06:28 PM

RIP

TICKFORD_XR6 · 26-06-2007, 06:46 PM

wow, shocking to say the least.
i always thought he was the nicest person outside of the ring.
clearly not. poor kid thats for sure

RIP chris and family

TheSneakiness · 26-06-2007, 06:48 PM

I'm still having mixed feelings about this.

In any case, he was a great in ring performer, and that's what the fans will remember most about him.

R.I.P.

sfr rob · 26-06-2007, 07:00 PM

Good old roid rage!
What a bastard, I can not understand how someone can murder there flesh and blood, thats just plain wrong, hope he burns in hell for that!
sorry if i offend anyone, but I just had to say that.

**Polyal** · 26-06-2007, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfr rob

Good old roid rage!
What a bastard, I can not understand how someone can murder there flesh and blood, thats just plain wrong, hope he burns in hell for that!
sorry if i offend anyone, but I just had to say that.

Harsh but true, pretty weak really. Why not just do yourself?

Either way its tragic.

Bossxr8 · 26-06-2007, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfr rob

Good old roid rage!
What a bastard, I can not understand how someone can murder there flesh and blood, thats just plain wrong, hope he burns in hell for that!
sorry if i offend anyone, but I just had to say that.

Hasn't been confirmed wether he did it or his wife did.

Billy351 · 26-06-2007, 07:03 PM

Gees ther'es some sick stuff happening lately. All the police seem to be speding there time doing is trapping people online by posing as 14 year old girls.

AU2PWR · 26-06-2007, 07:32 PM

yeah , his wife strangled that ****ing huge neck ..

Woz · 26-06-2007, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU2PWR

yeah , his wife strangled that ****ing huge neck ..

Well done on reading the article points that were made. No one, at any point, said she had killed Benoit. Only that it was thought that she had killed the son and then Chris had done the same to her in a fit of rage upon finding this out.

I'm sure your valuable input is greatly appreciated by someone, somewhere.

Scott · 26-06-2007, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU2PWR

yeah , his wife strangled that ****ing huge neck ..

I think it is still unclear who killed the child, not which parent killed the other one.

sfr rob · 27-06-2007, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU2PWR

yeah , his wife strangled that ****ing huge neck ..

LOL!!!!
hahaha, maybe she was one of those tree hugging hippies.

I know what i said was harsh, but this sort of thing just sets me off, I cant understand what gets in someones head to make them take out there own family then off them selves.

Bucknaked · 26-06-2007, 07:52 PM

Big strong wrestler. He's got that strength to overpower anyone.

It's a real shame. I really hate it when you hear that children are involved. To be murdered by the person who should be the one to protect them. I couldn't even imagine the fear that this child would have felt. It's so sad.

R0BD0G · 26-06-2007, 08:09 PM

terrible

Dazza XLT · 27-06-2007, 08:30 AM

From Ninemsn

Benoit strangled wife, smothered son
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=275424
Wednesday Jun 27 05:00 AEST
By ninemsn staff

Wrestling superstar Chris Benoit strangled his wife, smothered his son and then hanged himself in his weight room, according to police.

Police investigators announced the grisly findings at a press conference this morning (AEST).

"Mr Benoit had sometime, possibly Friday, murdered his wife by asphyxiation. Sometime shortly after that, the same for his son Daniel and sometime later ... committed suicide by hanging himself in the basement area," officials said in a statement from the Fayetteville Sheriff's Department.

The bodies of the 40-year-old wrestler, his wife, Nancy Benoit, 43, and their seven-year-old son, Daniel, were found in three separate rooms at their Atlanta home on Monday.

Mrs Benoit was bound at the wrists and feet, with a towel wrapped around her body and blood underneath her head, according to officials.

A Bible was reportedly found near each one of the bodies.

World Wrestling Entertainment staff asked police to check on Benoit after they were alerted to a series of "curious" text messages he had sent to friends, reportedly during Sunday's Vengeance TV wrestling program.

There has been speculation he was watching the program with his son, who may have been alive at the time.

However, police say they believe Benoit died on Saturday. Authorities understand he used a cord from one of his workout machines as a makeshift noose.

Toxicology tests will show whether steroids or prescription drugs, both found inside the Benoit home, could have been a factor in the deaths. Steroid abuse has been linked to angry outbursts known as "roid rage."

As the investigation continues, Benoit's history of domestic abuse has been brought into the spotlight.

Mrs Benoit had filed for divorce and a restraining order against her husband in 2003, telling a judge she was "intimidated by threats of violence."

In the papers, Nancy claimed that Benoit, "lost his temper and threatened to strike the petitioner and cause extensive damage to the home and personal belongings of the parties, including furniture."

She also said she was "in reasonable fear for petitioner's own safety and that of the minor child."

Three months later, she withdrew the divorce papers and a judge cancelled the proceedings.

Some friends of Benoit, however, are unable to accept that would harm his family.

"He was very happy with his wife and he loved his son Daniel," Ross Hart, a friend of Benoit and member of the Hart wrestling family, told the Edmonton Journal.

"This would be very uncharacteristic of Chris to do anything self-destructive. I find it very hard to believe that he would end his life or his family's."

futura · 27-06-2007, 08:45 AM

Chris Benoit was one of my favourite wrestlers. He will be sadly missed.

vandrsxr6 · 27-06-2007, 09:02 AM

So sad, one of the greatest wrestlers of all time and absolute legend.

long live the Horsemen.

TheSneakiness · 27-06-2007, 09:04 AM

Right... mind is made up.

What an absolute selfish act. To take the lives of your wife and your seven year old son, then not pay for it by hanging yourself is a dog act.

I withdraw my R.I.P. for him, but it stays for his wife and son.

4.9 EF Futura · 27-06-2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Axe

Right... mind is made up.

What an absolute selfish act. To take the lives of your wife and your seven year old son, then not pay for it by hanging yourself is a dog act.

I withdraw my R.I.P. for him, but it stays for his wife and son.

Lol, who needs a coroner's report when you've got AFF and ninemsn!!??!?

Perhaps we should wait for all the facts, a proper investigation, results from the blood work etc etc etc intead of tailoring an opinion to suit the dribs and drabs of info coming from mainstream media??????

Shame to hear about loss of 3 lives.

Doesnt make professional wrestling suck any less than it does!!

TheSneakiness · 27-06-2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

Perhaps we should wait for all the facts, a proper investigation, results from the blood work etc etc etc intead of tailoring an opinion to suit the dribs and drabs of info coming from mainstream media??????

Fair call, but with most other outlets reporting the same thing, wouldn't you think it was fairly true and accurate?

SPNAGE · 27-06-2007, 12:21 PM

Really shocking news, he was one of the best wrestlers of all time. I have a bit of mixed emotions about it as well. 1: I'm sad that he's gone and feel really sorry for the wife and kid but also angry at the bastard for doing what he did. Like i said its a really weird feeling. Wrestling has lost one of its brightest stars!