Cops: Pro Wrestler Killed Family, Self

(CBS/AP)  Pro wrestler Chris Benoit strangled his wife, suffocated his 7-year-old son and placed a Bible next to their bodies before hanging himself with the pulley of a weightlifting machine, authorities said Tuesday.

Investigators found prescription anabolic steroids in the house and want to know whether the muscle man was unhinged by the drugs, which can cause paranoia, depression and explosive outbursts known as "roid rage."

Benoit's employer, the WWE, instituted a new and supposedly tougher drug policy just last year after the death of another wrestler was linked to steroid use, reports CBS News national correspondent Byron Pitts.

Authorities offered no motive for the killings, which were spread out over a weekend, and would not discuss Benoit's motive or state of mind. No suicide note was found.

"I'm baffled about why anybody would kill a 7-year-old," District Attorney Scott Ballard said. "I don't think we'll ever be able wrap our head around that."

Benoit, a Montreal native whose nickname was "The Canadian Crippler," was known for his wholesome family man image. His wife, Nancy, was a wrestling stage manager who worked under the name "Woman." They met and fell in love when their wrestling story lines intertwined.

When he won the world heavyweight championship, Benoit (pronounced ben-WAH) hoisted the belt over his head and invited his wife and child into the ring to celebrate.

Nevertheless, Nancy Benoit filed for a divorce in 2003, saying the couple's three-year marriage was irrevocably broken and alleging "cruel treatment."

She later dropped the complaint, as well as a request for a restraining order in which she charged that the 5-foot-10, 220-pound Benoit had threatened her and had broken furniture in their home.

In the divorce filing, she said Benoit made more than $500,000 a year as a professional wrestler and asked for permanent custody of Daniel and child support. In his response, Benoit sought joint custody.

The bodies were found Monday afternoon in three rooms of the house, off a gravel road.

Benoit's wife, 43, was killed Friday in an upstairs family room, her feet and wrists were bound and there was blood under her head, indicating a possible struggle, Ballard said.

The son, Daniel, was probably killed late Saturday or early Sunday, the body found in his bed, Ballard said.

Benoit, 40, apparently killed himself several hours and as long as a day later, Ballard said. His body was found in a downstairs weight room, his body found hanging from the pulley of a piece of exercise equipment.

The prosecutor said he found it "bizarre" that the WWE wrestling star spread out the killings over a weekend and appeared to remain in the house for up to a day with the bodies.

Toxicology test results may not be available for weeks or even months, he said. As for whether steroids played a role in the crime, he said: "We don't know yet. That's one of the things we'll be looking at."

Neighbors said the Benoits led a low-key lifestyle.

"We would see Chris walking in his yard from time to time. He wasn't rude, but he wasn't really outwardly warm," said Alaina Jones, who lives across the street.

Jimmy Baswell, who was Benoit's driver for more than five years, placed a white wreath at the Benoits' gate. "They always seemed like they were the happiest people," he said.

World Wrestling Entertainment said on its Web site that it asked authorities to check on Benoit and his family after being alerted by friends who received "several curious text messages sent by Benoit early Sunday morning."

The WWE, based in Stamford, Conn., said authorities asked that it not release further information on the deaths.

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

"He was like a family member to me, and everyone in my family is taking it real hard," said fellow Canadian Bret Hart, a five-time champion with the World Wrestling Federation. The federation has since changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment.

Benoit had maintained a home in Atlanta from the time he wrestled for the defunct World Championship Wrestling. The Fayette County Tax Assessors Office lists the value of the house, on more than 8.5 acres, at nearly $900,000.

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 had two other children from a prior relationship.

[wendell_3173]

do not take illegal drugs so dangerous

[brian31462]

lcsogal227,
I can't agree with you more. People want to set themselves up as judge, jury and executioner without All the facts being in. Yet they would scream if they were the ones being judged.
McMahon and his Corp. have pulled some real shady things in the past, and it is plausible that they have done so again, yet I cannot KNOW that at this time, so I will reserve judgement.

[lcsogal227]

Lastly, just like many who posted that Benoit's tribute was deserved if for no other reason for his career, I was not aware of the situation that had unfolded. No on was. I am more than happy to recant my statement; I feel like no one in this world who has done what authorities believe he has done deserves any form of glorification. However, as a Criminal Justice student and as an employee of Law Enforcement, I have many times been taught to never jump to conclusions and to never form an opinion on a case until ALL evidence has been processed and presented. Since evidence is still pending, I do not believe that myself, or any of you, could possibly make an educated opinion on this case. I also agree with what has been said about a possible cover-up for media purposes, and that the public has a right to know EVERYTHING that the authorities in Atlanta, as well as the WWE, Vince McMahon, and any other party who has been involved in this investigation knows and could potentially be hiding, and in a very unethical manner may I add, for the sake of salvaging this multi-billion dollar empire that McMahon has created.

[lcsogal227]

nolalou,

For starters, proofread what you post, especially if you're trying to put down someone.

Secondly, Just because I'm a wrestling fan doesn't mean that my love for wrestling extends only to the WWE; it extends to Greco-Roman and all other forms. Just because someone has made a multi-billion dollar industry by adding a storyline (as rediculous as they may be) and a little bit of entertainment to a sport (That's why it's considered SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT, by the way.)is no reason to consider what these people do an illegitamate sport. Those wrestlers have to train just as hard as the next and wreck and ravage their bodies just like any other athlete.

Thirdly, you are entitled to your opinion, but do not speculate on the lifestyle of people you know nothing about.

[brian31462]

t may take them that long to solve a case, but they know within the first few minutes or days of an investigation what the basic circumstances of the crime was. Of course as I said it takes longer for tests such as the ones I stated. And the past facts of similar crimes also play into it as well. And for your comment on my TV watching, why don't you look at your own problems before you go around diagnosing someone else. There is a life outside WWE, WWF, USA, RAW or whatever it is that you are into.
Posted by retmilspouse at 02:23 PM : Jun 26, 2007


For your information, and I will take a lie detector test to prove it, I don't watch TV. I haven't since 1998, when they started putting so much garbage on, instead of wholesome family entertainment. I know about CSI due to all the news articles and ads that proliferate the media, on-line and in print.
And yes, I USED to watch wrestling. I thought it was enjoyable fun, with all the story-lines. At least I never believed it to be true, like so many people that watch soap operas, day-time or night-time.

[mikealford3]

"I have been to several WWE events, including some in the past."
Posted by knyghtwolf at 08:50 AM : Jun 27, 2007

Really, in the past, well I would certainly not think you had been to any in the future. LOL

I'm just kidding knyghtwolf.

This is certainly a horrible thing, but the way Vince McMahnon, the owner of the WWE, appears to be, it would not surprise me if he were involved. Nothing that nut does would surprise me.

[nothappyatall]

"Just goes to show as an example that money, fame, and fortune do not equal happiness in this world.
Posted by stinkingrick"

"-What version of Bible was Chris Benoit reading before he did this awful thing?
Posted by grazinggoat "

Yeah and the bibull doesn't seem to fix that EITHER stinkingrick, the bibull was what CAUSED this- anoher right wing bibull thumper obsessed with religion decides to take out his family and himself to be with jezus that much sooner in heAVen~~ oh I can feel the palm trees willowing in the breeze to the strains of 'nearer my gawd to thee' peeerrrrraise da lard!

Remember Dennis Raider? another bibull thumper and church deacon, family man by day, cold blooded killer of women by night.

[smb221]

that is so ridiculous. I agree with cricketmk3.

[cricketmk3]

Some of you would NEVER make it as a crime solver!

[knyghtwolf]

I have been to several WWE events, including some in the past. There are people there that think all that creative tumbling is REAL, not faked or at least simply contrived. Its like watching daytime soap opera's but with a lot of the performers acting out some diagnosis' from a DSM-IV manuel. The some of the people that come to see the wrestlers are just as dangerous as the wrestler's themselves, except the wrestlers know its a job. What if some psychotic fan did manage to get into Chris Benoit's home and do this? You think its not possible? This does NOT fit at all, it is totally wrong. It seems as though SOMEONE wanted to leave a very STRONG message to the other folks in the WWE. I have never heard of anyone suicidal or in a roid rage that took up to three days to kill and then commit suicide.