Doctor's office raided in wrestler probe

[samanthajane13]

By HARRY R. WEBER, Associated Press Writer
25 minutes ago



ATLANTA - Federal drug agents raided the office of a doctor who prescribed testosterone to the pro wrestler who killed his wife and son and hanged himself, authorities said Thursday.

The raid at Dr. Phil Astin's office in Carrollton began Wednesday night and concluded early Thursday, said agent Chuvalo Truesdell, a spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration. The search warrant had been obtained in connection with the Chris Benoit investigation, he said. No arrests were made.

Hours before the raid, Astin told The Associated Press he had treated Benoit for low testosterone levels, which he said likely originated from previous steroid use.

Among other things, investigators were looking for Benoit's medical records to see if he had been prescribed steroids and, if so, whether that prescription was appropriate, according to a law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity because records in the case remain sealed.

Astin did not return repeated calls to his cell phone from The Associated Press on Thursday.

Astin prescribed testosterone for Benoit, a longtime friend, in the past but would not say what, if any, medications he prescribed when Benoit visited his office Friday.

Benoit strangled his wife and smothered son during the weekend, placing Bibles next to their bodies, before hanging himself on the cable of a weight-machine in his home, authorities said. No motive was offered for the killings, which were discovered Monday.

Anabolic steroids were found in Benoit's home, leading officials to wonder whether the drugs played a role in the slayings. Some experts believe steroids cause paranoia, depression and violent outbursts known as "roid rage."

A "closed" sign hung on the front door of Astin's office Thursday. On the side door was another sign which read: "Our office is closed until further notice and Dr. Astin cannot be reached for comment."

Several patients who arrived for Thursday appointments left disappointed.

"Oh my goodness, I don't know what to think," said Amanda League, who said she knew nothing about her doctor's connection to Benoit. "He's always been a great doctor to me. Very nice. The staff is nice. There's great treatment here."

Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard said in a statement Thursday that he could not immediately comment on the raid.

Also Thursday, Ballard told the AP that 10 empty beer cans were found in a trash can in the Benoit home. An empty wine bottle was found a few feet from where Benoit hanged himself, Ballard said.

It could take several weeks for toxicology tests to be completed on Benoit to see what medications, if any, were in his system.

Benoit took four months off from work in 2006 for undisclosed personal reasons, World Wrestling Entertainment attorney Jerry McDevitt said.

"He was feeling depressed, that kind of thing," McDevitt said.

In the days before the killings, Benoit and his wife argued over whether he should stay home more to take care of their mentally retarded 7-year-old son, according to an attorney for the WWE wrestling league.

The child suffered from a rare medical condition called Fragile X Syndrome, an inherited form of mental retardation often accompanied by autism.

___

Associated Press writer Matt Apuzzo in Washington contributed to this story.

[nightwatcher]

From what I've read about this Doctor's past performance, he should be very worried. Chris Benoit went to see him the same day that he ended up killing his wife, from a psychotic rage! He killed his wife that very night, for God's sake!!! How in the world, could this Doctor NOT notice that there was something very wrong with his patient? I guess he was much too busy thinking about playing golf, and seeing pharmaceutical sales people for his free drug samples. IMO

[Devotion]

Originally Posted by nightwatcher

From what I've read about this Doctor's past performance, he should be very worried. Chris Benoit went to see him the same day that he ended up killing his wife, from a psychotic rage! He killed his wife that very night, for God's sake!!! How in the world, could this Doctor NOT notice that there was something very wrong with his patient? I guess he was much too busy thinking about playing golf, and seeing pharmaceutical sales people for his free drug samples. IMO

Good points, defintely not the patient...It's happening much too much, with these doctors...

[nightwatcher]

Originally Posted by Devotion

Good points, definitely not the patient...It's happening much too much, with these doctors...

Thank you, Devotion. It's good to see you again.

[nightwatcher]

Originally Posted by samanthajane13

By HARRY R. WEBER, Associated Press Writer
25 minutes ago



ATLANTA - Federal drug agents raided the office of a doctor who prescribed testosterone to the pro wrestler who killed his wife and son and hanged himself, authorities said Thursday.

The raid at Dr. Phil Astin's office in Carrollton began Wednesday night and concluded early Thursday, said agent Chuvalo Truesdell, a spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration. The search warrant had been obtained in connection with the Chris Benoit investigation, he said. No arrests were made.

Hours before the raid, Astin told The Associated Press he had treated Benoit for low testosterone levels, which he said likely originated from previous steroid use.

Among other things, investigators were looking for Benoit's medical records to see if he had been prescribed steroids and, if so, whether that prescription was appropriate, according to a law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity because records in the case remain sealed.

Astin did not return repeated calls to his cell phone from The Associated Press on Thursday.

Astin prescribed testosterone for Benoit, a longtime friend, in the past but would not say what, if any, medications he prescribed when Benoit visited his office Friday.

Benoit strangled his wife and smothered son during the weekend, placing Bibles next to their bodies, before hanging himself on the cable of a weight-machine in his home, authorities said. No motive was offered for the killings, which were discovered Monday.

Anabolic steroids were found in Benoit's home, leading officials to wonder whether the drugs played a role in the slayings. Some experts believe steroids cause paranoia, depression and violent outbursts known as "roid rage."

A "closed" sign hung on the front door of Astin's office Thursday. On the side door was another sign which read: "Our office is closed until further notice and Dr. Astin cannot be reached for comment."

Several patients who arrived for Thursday appointments left disappointed.

"Oh my goodness, I don't know what to think," said Amanda League, who said she knew nothing about her doctor's connection to Benoit. "He's always been a great doctor to me. Very nice. The staff is nice. There's great treatment here."

Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard said in a statement Thursday that he could not immediately comment on the raid.

Also Thursday, Ballard told the AP that 10 empty beer cans were found in a trash can in the Benoit home. An empty wine bottle was found a few feet from where Benoit hanged himself, Ballard said.

It could take several weeks for toxicology tests to be completed on Benoit to see what medications, if any, were in his system.

Benoit took four months off from work in 2006 for undisclosed personal reasons, World Wrestling Entertainment attorney Jerry McDevitt said.

"He was feeling depressed, that kind of thing," McDevitt said.

In the days before the killings, Benoit and his wife argued over whether he should stay home more to take care of their mentally retarded 7-year-old son, according to an attorney for the WWE wrestling league.

The child suffered from a rare medical condition called Fragile X Syndrome, an inherited form of mental retardation often accompanied by autism.

___

Associated Press writer Matt Apuzzo in Washington contributed to this story.

This Doctor has a history of misconduct, and he is definitely not ethical. He cares more about money than he does his patients, which is quite obvious. I think he has no business practicing medicine, and that he should lose his license. Maybe then he can go work for the Pharmaceutical companies pushing drugs, because that's where his real interests seems to be. IMO

[STLcardfan]

I still don't understand why Anna Nicholes doctor didn't have her door kicked in. I hope his license is removed forever

[nightwatcher]

Originally Posted by STLcardfan

I still don't understand why Anna Nicholes doctor didn't have her door kicked in. I hope his license is removed forever

I totally agree with you. Both Doctors should have their licenses taken away. They should both be in prison too. IMO