The following is from ABCNews.com:
| Quote: |
Wrestling star Chris Benoit, his wife, Nancy, and their 7-year-old son Daniel were found dead in their suburban Atlanta home Monday. The deaths are being investigated as a possible suicide and double homicide, authorities told ABC News.
Lt. Tommy Pope of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department told ABC News that Benoit had missed several appointments over the weekend, leading concerned parties to ask police to do a "welfare check." When sheriffs arrived at the Benoits' home, they found the wrestler, his wife, and their son dead.
There were no signs of gunshot wounds or stabbing, according to Pope. Authorities are not ruling out other causes, such as poisoning, suffocation, or strangulation. Pope told ABC News that his department is looking at this situation as a "possible double murder, suicide."
Pope said "the instruments of death were located on scene," but would not specify what those instruments are or where in the house the bodies were found. Pope added the department is "not actively searching for any suspects outside of the house."
An autopsy has been scheduled for Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. However, it could be weeks before there is a result.
Benoit, 40, was scheduled to spar against C.M. Punk in a pay-per-view event Sunday night in Houston for the Extreme Champion Wrestling title. But Benoit canceled before the event, citing personal reasons.
A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Benoit was known in the ring as the "Canadian Crippler."
Following the announcement of the deaths, World Wrestling Entertainment issued a statement: "Chris was beloved among his fellow superstars, and was a favorite among WWE fans for his unbelievable athleticism and wrestling ability. He always took great pride in his performance, and always showed respect for the business he loved, for his peers and towards his fans. This is a terrible tragedy and an unbearable loss. WWE extends its sincere condolences and prayers to the Benoit family and loved ones in this time of tragedy."
WWE announced that it would drop its planned Monday night line-up on the USA Network to air a three-hour tribute to Benoit.
In a sport known for bravado and bullying, Benoit was very much beloved and respected by his peers. He was passionate about his profession and served as a mentor to many younger, up-and-coming performers. As an indication of how much the fans enjoyed him, when the crowd in Houston's Toyota Center learned Sunday night that he wouldn't be there, they chanted, "We want Benoit!" |
I am truly speachless
RIP Chris Benoit | 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. |
FROM WWE.COM
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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, Texas, 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 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. |
Although I dont watch wwe anymore, my friends still do and I am sure they'd be really shocked to know about this tragic event. I did respect Chris when I used to watch wwe and used to really like him. This is really tragic news.
According to Sky Sports news someone close the investiagation stated that he killed his wife and kids before hanging himself in his weights room.
What a tragic incident. How could such a thing happen. Poor guy. May his family rest in peace.
Yeah, reports are he killed his wife on saturday and his son slightly after. He stayed in the house for about a day before hanging himself in his weight room. Sad... I really respected him too.
Could you imagine what must have been going through his mind o_O
I was really dissapointed when hearing this. I felt really bad for his family, and that night on Raw they had a special on him and everybody was talking about how great he was. I used to have a huge amount of respect for him but after this, I don't think I can respect him anymore. I hate having the last memory of him be as a killer.
| Afaceinthematrix wrote: |
| I was really dissapointed when hearing this. I felt really bad for his family, and that night on Raw they had a special on him and everybody was talking about how great he was. I used to have a huge amount of respect for him but after this, I don't think I can respect him anymore. I hate having the last memory of him be as a killer. |
For some reason I still don't believe that Benoit did it. He was set up... look at the evidence found. yes his wife was found with bruises, yes his son was found dead on his bed and yes benoit was found hanging. however all 3 bodies were found with bibles next to them.
the bible represents apologies and forgiveness. if benoit were to commit suicide... a note would have been found. nothing was found at this time. Look at the text messages that were sent.
Both Benoit and his wife sent messages with their physical home address in them... to me that is a cry for help... asking for help. Somthing was up. Someone killed the 3 of them. But it wasn't Benoit. Benoit was Hannged while his wife and child were sufficated. Benoit loved his family. his son ment the world to him... his children ment the world to him. Benoit was set up. the scene was to make it look like he did it when in fact he did not.Chris Benoit did not kill himself. Someone is setting him up.
Why would someone do that? That's the question.
Im shocked that people are trying to make excuses for what he did,and even to the point where they are saying he didnt even do it,the police have no evidence to think that anything other than a double murder suicide occured,so from that point of view he deserves no tributes,nothing,as he took the lives of two innocent people.
| truespeed wrote: |
| Im shocked that people are trying to make excuses for what he did,and even to the point where they are saying he didnt even do it,the police have no evidence to think that anything other than a double murder suicide occured,so from that point of view he deserves no tributes,nothing,as he took the lives of two innocent people. |
How can you proove that he killed them?
If Benoit did kill them, I have a suspicion that something made him do it, such as drugs.
Out of everyone in the WWE, Benoit is one of the last guys that would kill his wife and son. He was one of the most honest and respected wrestlers in the last decade.
R.I.P. Chris, you will be dearly missed. | AVA182 wrote: |
| truespeed wrote: | | Im shocked that people are trying to make excuses for what he did,and even to the point where they are saying he didnt even do it,the police have no evidence to think that anything other than a double murder suicide occured,so from that point of view he deserves no tributes,nothing,as he took the lives of two innocent people. |
How can you proove that he killed them?
If Benoit did kill them, I have a suspicion that something made him do it, such as drugs.
Out of everyone in the WWE, Benoit is one of the last guys that would kill his wife and son. He was one of the most honest and respected wrestlers in the last decade.
R.I.P. Chris, you will be dearly missed. |
The police say he killed them,they wouldnt say that unless they werent 100% certain,they would just say they are continuing with enquiries.
As for drugs,perhaps they contributed to him doing what he did,who knows,they say that steroids can cause "roid rage" but this crime wasnt done in a rage,he murdered his wife,waited a couple of hours before murdering his own son,this was calculated,why he wanted to die we will never know,but if he wanted to die he should of just killed himself,for taking his wife and son with him,makes him no different to any other murderer out there.
On the subject of steroids,WWE needs to clean up its act and test more thoroughly,they say they do test,but obviously not enough,as its clear to everyone that everyone of them takes steroids,nobody gets that ripped and that big without chemical help. | truespeed wrote: |
| On the subject of steroids,WWE needs to clean up its act and test more thoroughly,they say they do test,but obviously not enough,as its clear to everyone that everyone of them takes steroids,nobody gets that ripped and that big without chemical help. |
I agree. I've been following wrestling for around a decade now, and it's a shame to see something that I used to watch all the time become such a heavily drug-affiliated show. So many people have died; The Big Bossman, Hawk, Owen Hart, Eddie Guererro, and now Chris Benoit. The drug use needs to stop.I´ve read people say that WWE should be investigated because of all the deaths that have happened lately. I´m not too sure if that should happen, I mean, its not like they had any part in the deaths, and they do test for steroids (which is kind of surprising, since its a scripted show, meaning that steroids don´t exactly give an advantage to anyone). Anyway, I´m not quite sure where I´m going with this, but I personally think that the blame rests entirely on Benoit (or whatever mental illness he had) and not the WWE, unlike what I´ve read around the internet. That is all.
That's so disgusting and sad, I was complete shock when I heard about that, I mean I'm no wrestling fan, but that sort of stuff is just awful, it affects everyone.
What a shame... 
Chris Benoit was a great wrestler and a very decent guy. 
Too bad... | AVA182 wrote: |
| truespeed wrote: | | Im shocked that people are trying to make excuses for what he did,and even to the point where they are saying he didnt even do it,the police have no evidence to think that anything other than a double murder suicide occured,so from that point of view he deserves no tributes,nothing,as he took the lives of two innocent people. |
How can you proove that he killed them?
If Benoit did kill them, I have a suspicion that something made him do it, such as drugs.
Out of everyone in the WWE, Benoit is one of the last guys that would kill his wife and son. He was one of the most honest and respected wrestlers in the last decade.
R.I.P. Chris, you will be dearly missed. |
I have a bit of a different take on why he might have done it. Don't crucify me it's just an opinion.
Maybe his wife told him she had an affair and that his son wasn't really his son, but that of another man....Jealousy, betrayal and MAYBE a combination of steroids or whatever drugs he was doing could have contributed to the irrational thinking ..... Not at all impossible, remember he took her away from Kevin Sullivan when she was known as Woman, I believe I read somewhere in real life that they were married as wellit;s sad he had to go this way and to die with the wife and kid is also very touching,i watched him becaome the WWE champion in his home town with his father to see him get his belt.
thats making 2 wrestlers to die in thier home, i think the police has to see where the problems are coming from ,it will not be good to loose another legend.
may his soul and that of his wife and kid REST IN PEACE
| cropwell wrote: |
| it;s sad he had to go this way and to die with the wife and kid is also very touching |
Erm he killed them,not really a touching family moment.I grew up watching this guy. I never would've believed he was capable of something like this.
I don't watch wrestling so I didn't know who this guy was, however trawling through digg a few weeks back I saw a story about how his wife's death appeared on Wiki 14 hours before the police found the body.
You guys might find it interesting:
http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Death_of_Nancy_Benoit_rumour_posted_on_Wikipedia_hours_prior_to_body_being_found | glenn83e wrote: |
| Afaceinthematrix wrote: | | I was really dissapointed when hearing this. I felt really bad for his family, and that night on Raw they had a special on him and everybody was talking about how great he was. I used to have a huge amount of respect for him but after this, I don't think I can respect him anymore. I hate having the last memory of him be as a killer. |
For some reason I still don't believe that Benoit did it. He was set up... look at the evidence found. yes his wife was found with bruises, yes his son was found dead on his bed and yes benoit was found hanging. however all 3 bodies were found with bibles next to them.
the bible represents apologies and forgiveness. if benoit were to commit suicide... a note would have been found. nothing was found at this time. Look at the text messages that were sent.
Both Benoit and his wife sent messages with their physical home address in them... to me that is a cry for help... asking for help. Somthing was up. Someone killed the 3 of them. But it wasn't Benoit. Benoit was Hannged while his wife and child were sufficated. Benoit loved his family. his son ment the world to him... his children ment the world to him. Benoit was set up. the scene was to make it look like he did it when in fact he did not. |
Interesting points there you have raised. But on what base though ? What do you think is the killer intention ? For something so organized ( if its really a murder ) there must be some mafia involvement in it related to money, drugs, revenge, etc.
That is kind of interesting. Would like to keep a curious eye on this to see where this leads... This just proves that what you see on TV and the characters that are represented are not truly a view of the real person.
Some posts say how Chris was a good guy and I watched him growing up and he could never do anything like this. Let me ask you what makes you think you know him so well? Did you hang out with him after you saw him on TV? Do you know anything about him other than his character on TV? did you even know he had a family?
The thing everyone forgets is that these people are actors, it is a job. He may come across as a great guy in public but may come home and be the total opposite. He is not the only famous personality that tragedy has struck. There has been many others that have had their TV reputations ruined by their true personalities. They are people just like anyone else with a job, just because they are on tv makes people believe they know them and it is a total misleading judgment.
For what he did he will never get any recognition from me ever again, no matter what he has done in the past. for you who say you don't believe, etc just think if it was your daughter and grandchildren, etc that this affected, would you still think he is a decent guy?
| canadol wrote: |
This just proves that what you see on TV and the characters that are represented are not truly a view of the real person.
Some posts say how Chris was a good guy and I watched him growing up and he could never do anything like this. Let me ask you what makes you think you know him so well? Did you hang out with him after you saw him on TV? Do you know anything about him other than his character on TV? did you even know he had a family?
The thing everyone forgets is that these people are actors, it is a job. He may come across as a great guy in public but may come home and be the total opposite. He is not the only famous personality that tragedy has struck. There has been many others that have had their TV reputations ruined by their true personalities. They are people just like anyone else with a job, just because they are on tv makes people believe they know them and it is a total misleading judgment.
For what he did he will never get any recognition from me ever again, no matter what he has done in the past. for you who say you don't believe, etc just think if it was your daughter and grandchildren, etc that this affected, would you still think he is a decent guy? |
You give a strong valid point there. We will never really know what happened in the Benoit house that night. It is a sin that something like that took place. It is also funny how after they did the autopsy reports and other testing that we have not heard anything else about that tragic night on the news. And that WWE has removed everything to do with Benoit from their website.Guess we will never know seeing as how he didn't leave a not or text or voice mail with anyone that anyone knows of yet......Would have been interesting to have known what would make someone throw everything away that he had like that
reports are now saying that Benoit suffered from not only brain damage but a symptom like an 84 year old with alzheimer's. I guess this is from all the flying head butts over the years lol. So truthfully I guess he didn't really know what he was doing at the time
Ah, yes. Chris Benoit was a great, respected athlete who will never be forgotten.
RIP, Chris.
