Professional Wrestler Chris Benoit, Family Found Dead in Georgia Home

[samanthajane13]

Monday, June 25, 2007

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.


My prayers go out to the family and friends of the Benoits.

RIP-Chris, Nancy and Daniel

[samanthajane13]

From wwe.com-

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.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

WHY, CHRIS???
WHY??????

[Spencer33]

TMZ is reporting that the wife was strangled in her bed, the 7 year old boy was smothered in his bedroom, and that Benoit hung himself in the weight room of the house. I don't know if the above info is true but, if it is, it's very sad.

http://www.tmz.com/

[concernedperson]

TMZ is reporting that the wife was strangled in her bed, the 7 year old boy was smothered in his bedroom, and that Benoit hung himself in the weight room of the house. I don't know if the above info is true but, if it is, it's very sad.

http://www.tmz.com/

Georgia LE is not saying too much on the manner of death as autopsies are still being performed today.New article said that the wife had filed divorce papers alleging abuse in 2003. Later the petition was dropped. So, it seems there is some kind of bad history.

[Spencer33]

A lot of people are posting on various forums that Benoit probably snapped from steroid abuse. I don't know enought about steroids to even have a clue if that could be the cause.

[samanthajane13]

Yes-it's called "Roid-Rage". The levels of testosterone, etc, get way too high, and it sets off a cascade effect. The least little thing can set off a bout of anger that's uncontrollable.

And that's just the tip of the ice-berg...there are so many other horrible side-effects to steroids. That's one of the many reasons they're banned in sports. Lyle Alzado-the football player-died of brain cancer linked to steroid use.

Right after Eddie Guerrero passed away, they put another ban on steroids in the WWE, because even though his death wasn't an immediate result of steroids, the continued use just tore up his body-along with alcohol and pain-killers-in conjuction with the physical abuse of constantly working out and nearly daily wrestlng matches. Eddie's heart and vascular system just crashed...his heart enlarged, and his veins couldn't keep up with the blood flow.

Hopefully, "Roid Rage" isn't the reason for Chris's death and the deaths of his family. Maybe he walked in and found them dead, and just lost it and killed himself.

That I could understand and accept.

[Spencer33]

Sadly, it's looking more and more like "roid rage". This just in from TMZ.com:

Officials have confirmed the horrifying details in the deaths of wrestling superstar Chris Benoit and his family.

In a statement by a member of the Fayetteville Sheriff's Department, "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."

According to officials, Nancy was bound at the wrists and feet, with a towel wrapped around her body, and blood was found underneath her head. A Bible was also reportedly found near each one of the bodies.

Police have also confirmed that prescription drugs and steroids were found in the house.

Benoit was found hanging in a weight room in his house. Cops say that he used a cord from one of his workout machines as a makeshift noose. Authorities also believe that Benoit died on Saturday.

http://www.tmz.com/

Sad... very, very sad. My heart goes out to his little boy and wife who never had a chance. And also to his two surviving children who I believe were in Canada at the time of the murders.

[samanthajane13]

I find it VERY hard to believe TMZ...

I found this on the web...

Authorities await autopsies in deaths of wrestler Chris Benoit, wife, 7-year-old son
/ WRBL - News 3
June 26, 2007

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) - Authorities are awaiting autopsy results on the bodies of pro wrestler Chris Benoit,
his wife and their seven-year-old son found dead in an apparent murder-suicide.

Fayette County Sheriff's Sergeant Keith Whiteside declined today to say whether investigators found drugs or
steroids inside the secluded Fayetteville home where the bodies were found about 2:30 p-m yesterday.

District Attorney Scott Ballard says NO gun was used in the killings, but he declined to say how the three died.

Whiteside says the bodies were found in three different rooms -- Benoit in the home's weight room, his wife in an
office and the son in an upstairs bedroom.

Whiteside says the sheriff's department will release the cause of death as soon as it is available. He said results
of toxicology tests could take up to a week or longer.

The Fayette County Tax Assessors Office lists the value of the home where the bodies were found at nearly
$900,000. It is located on more than eight and a half acres, off a gravel road.

Stamford, Connecticut-based World Wrestling Entertainment said on its Web site it had been asked by authorities
not to release further information on the deaths of the 40-year-old Benoit, his 43-year-old wife, Nancy, and son, Daniel.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Where is TMZ getting their info??? Taking an opinion poll of drug abusers or pulling random ideas from their butts?

They're sounding very much like the National Enquirer if you ask me.

[Spencer33]

The quote Mr. Lohr used in his final paragraph in the article is quite poignant:

Until further details emerge, I'll end this story as it began, with a quote from Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story:

"I just got so fed up and burned out, and I hated coming to work. And when you hate something that you're passionate about, something is very very wrong, so I knew I had to change." Those were Benoit's words on leaving the WCW for the WWE.

http://www.crimelibrary.com/news/ori...s_benoit4.html

[flutterby]

In light of the facts, that is quite a chilling quote.

[samanthajane13]

Chris and Nancy's son, Daniel, had Fragile X Syndrome. That may explain why Chris did some of the things he did.

http://www.wrestlinginc.com/v2/wi/st...6/24742.shtml.

I'm not saying he did the right thing, but in his possibly altered state, he may have felt it was the only choice he had.

[samanthajane13]

I found this on About.com-

"Wrestling's Dirty Secret
From Eric Cohen,
Your Guide to Professional Wrestling.

Wrestling's Dirty Secret
While many people think of wrestling as a big joke, there is one thing about wrestling that isn't funny. The death rate among wrestlers is alarmingly high. The only time this story was covered by the national media was on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumble. That segment featured Vince McMahon mocking the interviewer and slapping the notes from his hands. In addition, the only wrestler to speak up for the wrestlers, Roddy Piper, was fired after the piece aired.

Drug Usage
While the outcomes of the matches are pre-determined, the effort to put on those matches takes a huge toll on their bodies. The wrestlers are on the road over 300 days a year and unlike other athletes, they do not have an off season. In addition, accidents do happen and injuries occur. Unfortunately, if wrestlers take time off, their wallets will suffer significantly. These factors all lead to the deadly slope that many wrestlers have found themselves facing. They get addicted to pain killers to numb the pain. This medicine keeps them too lethargic to wrestle, so they take drugs to get high. This deadly mixture leads to illegal drug dependency that many wrestlers have to cope with even after they retire.

Large Bodies
In the '90s, the WWE faced a major steroid scandal. While they claim to test for steroids, it is obvious to the casual viewer that many of the wrestlers are taking something to get their physiques to look like they do. In today's environment, a wrestler must carry either an enormous amount of muscle or a tremendous amount of fat to give him the larger than life size needed to be successful in the business. That extra weight, whether muscle or fat, makes the heart work harder than it must.
Accidents and Old Age
Not all the wrestlers die due to the reasons stated above. Some die due to travel related incidents because of all the time on the road. Some have even died as a result of injuries suffered in the ring. Unfortunately, the least common way that wrestlers seem to be dying is due to old age.

How bad is the problem?
The list below only includes wrestlers that have appeared on national TV and were stars. Imagine if this many baseball players died at such an early age. There would be congressional hearings. Yet because it is wrestlers, no one cares. In an effort to stop this problem, the WWE has recently instituted a wellness program that monitors wrestlers for drug usage and cardiovascular issues.

Famous Wrestlers That Have Died Since 1985 Before the Age of 65-from all causes:
Chris Von Erich - 21
Mike Von Erich - 23
Louie Spiccoli - 27
Art Barr - 28
Gino Hernandez - 29
Jay Youngblood - 30
Rick McGraw - 30
Joey Marella - 30
Ed Gatner - 31
Buzz Sawyer - 32
Crash Holly - 32
Kerry Von Erich - 33
D.J. Peterson - 33
Eddie Gilbert - 33
The Renegade - 33
Owen Hart - 33
Chris Candido - 33
Adrian Adonis - 34
Gary Albright - 34
Bobby Duncum Jr. - 34
Yokozuna - 34
Big Dick Dudley - 34
Brian Pillman - 35
Marianna Komlos - 35
Pitbull #2 - 36
The Wall/Malice - 36
Leroy Brown - 38
Mark Curtis - 38
Eddie Guerrero - 38
Davey Boy Smith - 39
Johnny Grunge - 39
Vivian Vachon - 40
Jeep Swenson - 40
Brady Boone - 40
Terry Gordy - 40
Bertha Faye - 40
Billy Joe Travis - 40
Chris Benoit - 40
Larry Cameron - 41
Rick Rude - 41
Randy Anderson - 41
Bruiser Brody - 42
Miss Elizabeth - 42
Big Boss Man - 42
Earthquake - 42
Mike Awesome - 42
Ray Candy - 43
Nancy Benoit (Woman) - 43
Dino Bravo - 44
Curt Hennig - 44
Bam Bam Bigelow - 45
Jerry Blackwell - 45
Junkyard Dog - 45
Hercules - 45
Andre the Giant - 46
Big John Studd - 46
Chris Adams - 46
Mike Davis - 46
Hawk - 46
Dick Murdoch - 49
Jumbo Tsuruta - 49
Rocco Rock - 49
Sherri Martel - 49
Moondog Spot - 51
Ken Timbs - 53
Uncle Elmer - 54
Pez Whatley - 54
Eddie Graham - 55
Tarzan Tyler - 55
Haystacks Calhoun- 55
Giant Haystacks - 55
The Spoiler - 56
Kurt Von Hess - 56
Moondog King - 56
Gene Anderson - 58
Dr. Jerry Graham - 58
Bulldog Brown - 58
Tony Parisi - 58
Rufus R. Jones - 60
Ray Stevens - 60
Stan Stasiak - 60
Terry Garvin - 60
Boris Malenko - 61
Little Beaver - 61
Sapphire - 61
Shohei Baba - 61
Dick the Bruiser - 62
Wilbur Snyder - 62
George Cannon - 62
Karl Krupp - 62
Dale Lewis - 62
Gorilla Monsoon - 62
Hiro Matsuda - 62
Bad News Brown - 63
Bulldog Brower - 63
Wahoo McDaniel - 63


(Sources include: Pro Wrestling Illustrated Almanac, Obsessed with Wrestling.com, & Wrestling Information Archive)

[Spencer33]

Seeing your list of wrestlers who have died over the years reminded me of the horrible tragedies that happened to the Von Erich family (Nos. 1, 2 and 12on your list). There was actually 1 other brother who wrestled that also died if I'm not mistaken, and then there was an older brother who died many years before them. IOW, there were 5 Von Erich brothers who all died way before their time.

From reading an old bio on them, it doesn't appear that any of their deaths were related to drugs or steroids, but it's a sad ending for 5 of the 6 boys/wrestlers in one family.

With five young gifted brothers in the Ring and a father with years of promotional experience, the future for the Von Erich family could not have seemed any brighter - but that bright light of optimism would evolve into a brief flicker symbolizing the fading dreams of a family and the most tragic paths that the sport has ever known.


The family first suffered tragedy in 1959 when the oldest son, Jack Jr. was accidentally electrocuted on the family's farm. Twenty five years later, tragedy struck again when David died of an infection while in Japan on a wrestling tour. Three years later, after being forced to walk away from the sport after an almost fatal bout with toxic shock syndrome, Michael took his own life, overdosing on tranquilizers. Distraught over his brothers deaths and his inability to excel as a wrestler, Chris shot himself and died in 1991. After losing a foot in a 1986 motorcycle accident, Kerry found himself addicted to painkillers. Despite his continuing success as the family star, the pain proved more than he could cope with. A year after pleading no contest to forging a prescription for painkillers, and days after being indicted for drug possession, Kerry took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot to the chest. Kevin Von Erich is now the only living son from the famed family and carries the burden of his brothers dreams and expectations with him.

I guess it's possible that taking steroids (if they did) could have contributed to several of them committing suicide, but I certainly don't know that to be true.

http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages...vonerich2.html

[samanthajane13]

I remember watching Waldo Von Erich wrestle when I was a very little girl. So much sensless tragedy in one family.

And that doesn't even begin to describe the tragedy of all those wrestlers dying before their time, steroid use or not.

It's like a train wreck...

[nightwatcher]

I found this on About.com-

"Wrestling's Dirty Secret
From Eric Cohen,
Your Guide to Professional Wrestling.

Wrestling's Dirty Secret
While many people think of wrestling as a big joke, there is one thing about wrestling that isn't funny. The death rate among wrestlers is alarmingly high. The only time this story was covered by the national media was on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumble. That segment featured Vince McMahon mocking the interviewer and slapping the notes from his hands. In addition, the only wrestler to speak up for the wrestlers, Roddy Piper, was fired after the piece aired.

Drug Usage
While the outcomes of the matches are pre-determined, the effort to put on those matches takes a huge toll on their bodies. The wrestlers are on the road over 300 days a year and unlike other athletes, they do not have an off season. In addition, accidents do happen and injuries occur. Unfortunately, if wrestlers take time off, their wallets will suffer significantly. These factors all lead to the deadly slope that many wrestlers have found themselves facing. They get addicted to pain killers to numb the pain. This medicine keeps them too lethargic to wrestle, so they take drugs to get high. This deadly mixture leads to illegal drug dependency that many wrestlers have to cope with even after they retire.

Large Bodies
In the '90s, the WWE faced a major steroid scandal. While they claim to test for steroids, it is obvious to the casual viewer that many of the wrestlers are taking something to get their physiques to look like they do. In today's environment, a wrestler must carry either an enormous amount of muscle or a tremendous amount of fat to give him the larger than life size needed to be successful in the business. That extra weight, whether muscle or fat, makes the heart work harder than it must.
Accidents and Old Age
Not all the wrestlers die due to the reasons stated above. Some die due to travel related incidents because of all the time on the road. Some have even died as a result of injuries suffered in the ring. Unfortunately, the least common way that wrestlers seem to be dying is due to old age.

How bad is the problem?
The list below only includes wrestlers that have appeared on national TV and were stars. Imagine if this many baseball players died at such an early age. There would be congressional hearings. Yet because it is wrestlers, no one cares. In an effort to stop this problem, the WWE has recently instituted a wellness program that monitors wrestlers for drug usage and cardiovascular issues.

Famous Wrestlers That Have Died Since 1985 Before the Age of 65-from all causes:
Chris Von Erich - 21
Mike Von Erich - 23
Louie Spiccoli - 27
Art Barr - 28
Gino Hernandez - 29
Jay Youngblood - 30
Rick McGraw - 30
Joey Marella - 30
Ed Gatner - 31
Buzz Sawyer - 32
Crash Holly - 32
Kerry Von Erich - 33
D.J. Peterson - 33
Eddie Gilbert - 33
The Renegade - 33
Owen Hart - 33
Chris Candido - 33
Adrian Adonis - 34
Gary Albright - 34
Bobby Duncum Jr. - 34
Yokozuna - 34
Big Dick Dudley - 34
Brian Pillman - 35
Marianna Komlos - 35
Pitbull #2 - 36
The Wall/Malice - 36
Leroy Brown - 38
Mark Curtis - 38
Eddie Guerrero - 38
Davey Boy Smith - 39
Johnny Grunge - 39
Vivian Vachon - 40
Jeep Swenson - 40
Brady Boone - 40
Terry Gordy - 40
Bertha Faye - 40
Billy Joe Travis - 40
Chris Benoit - 40
Larry Cameron - 41
Rick Rude - 41
Randy Anderson - 41
Bruiser Brody - 42
Miss Elizabeth - 42
Big Boss Man - 42
Earthquake - 42
Mike Awesome - 42
Ray Candy - 43
Nancy Benoit (Woman) - 43
Dino Bravo - 44
Curt Hennig - 44
Bam Bam Bigelow - 45
Jerry Blackwell - 45
Junkyard Dog - 45
Hercules - 45
Andre the Giant - 46
Big John Studd - 46
Chris Adams - 46
Mike Davis - 46
Hawk - 46
Dick Murdoch - 49
Jumbo Tsuruta - 49
Rocco Rock - 49
Sherri Martel - 49
Moondog Spot - 51
Ken Timbs - 53
Uncle Elmer - 54
Pez Whatley - 54
Eddie Graham - 55
Tarzan Tyler - 55
Haystacks Calhoun- 55
Giant Haystacks - 55
The Spoiler - 56
Kurt Von Hess - 56
Moondog King - 56
Gene Anderson - 58
Dr. Jerry Graham - 58
Bulldog Brown - 58
Tony Parisi - 58
Rufus R. Jones - 60
Ray Stevens - 60
Stan Stasiak - 60
Terry Garvin - 60
Boris Malenko - 61
Little Beaver - 61
Sapphire - 61
Shohei Baba - 61
Dick the Bruiser - 62
Wilbur Snyder - 62
George Cannon - 62
Karl Krupp - 62
Dale Lewis - 62
Gorilla Monsoon - 62
Hiro Matsuda - 62
Bad News Brown - 63
Bulldog Brower - 63
Wahoo McDaniel - 63


(Sources include: Pro Wrestling Illustrated Almanac, Obsessed with Wrestling.com, & Wrestling Information Archive)

Excellent post, sj13!

[nightwatcher]

In light of the facts, that is quite a chilling quote.

Oh, my God. I completely agree with you. The whole thing is just so very, very sad. I am still in shock.

[nightwatcher]

Sadly, it's looking more and more like "roid rage". This just in from TMZ.com:



http://www.tmz.com/

Sad... very, very sad. My heart goes out to his little boy and wife who never had a chance. And also to his two surviving children who I believe were in Canada at the time of the murders.

Hi, Spencer33! I don't know how the authorities can say that they think Chris Benoit died on Saturday, when he was sending text messages to his co-workers on Sunday, while watching the pay-per-view? What's up with that, anyway? This is very strange, to say the least. IMO

[samanthajane13]

"I don't know how the authorities can say that they think Chris Benoit died on Saturday, when he was sending text messages to his co-workers on Sunday, while watching the pay-per-view? "

Are we really sure Chris sent those messages???

Anyone can look into a cellphone and find a contact list and send a message. They were pretty random messages-address and the fact that the door was open and the dogs were fed. Nothing personal, nothing anyone else couldn't have arranged. No specific message about meeting person being texted or asking personal questions...

And pay-per-view doesn't have to be ordered on the day of the show...at least not where I live...you can order it up in advance.

I just don't know...something about the whole thing just reeks. It almost smells of a set-up. And I'm not saying that because I was a fan. I'd feel the same way if the circumstances happened to anyone else-friend or stranger.

And remember the whole thing about people being innocent until PROVEN guilty. And resonable doubt.

Wouldn't you hate to have me on a jury??? I'm the original Devil's Advocate...

[grasshopper]

BUMP

I don't think it was murder,suicide. The rage profile does not fit,imo

[samanthajane13]

I don't know...with the Bibles, and the phone calls, and everything...it may even have been a really bad depressive moment on Chris's part.

He may have been trying to reach out to people at WWE if he made those calls, and when he didn't get an answer, he just spiraled lower...

Maybe everything just got to be too much for him to handle, and he thought death was the only way out.

[grasshopper]

I'm starting a time line on it and so far

all were seen at 6:30 Friday by pool people
Nancy's tod was 7:00 P.M./toxology alcohol and hydrocodone
Chris saw Dr. Saturday and recieved testoserone injectins, appears normal
Daniel had xanax in his blood and tod was Saturday or early Sunday
Chris hangs self Monday

murder/suicide
rage acts immediate kills and then self 4 day time span??
jmots

[Its just me]

I'm starting a time line on it and so far

all were seen at 6:30 Friday by pool people
Nancy's tod was 7:00 P.M./toxology alcohol and hydrocodone
Chris saw Dr. Saturday and recieved testoserone injectins, appears normal
Daniel had xanax in his blood and tod was Saturday or early Sunday
Chris hangs self Monday

murder/suicide
rage acts immediate kills and then self 4 day time span??
jmots

bumping to get past sick soul posting porn.