FAYETTEVILLE, Ga., June 26, 2007
Cops: Pro Wrestler Killed Family, Self
Chris Benoit Killed Wife And Son And Placed A Bible Next To Their Bodies Before Hanging Himself
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Play CBS Video Video Pro Wrestler Found Dead CBS News RAW: Police suspect pro wrestler Chris Benoit killed his wife and child before committing suicide in his weight room. The bodies were found at the family's home in Fayetteville, Ga.
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Police were called to the home of Chris Benoit (above) and his family after friends became worried after receiving what the WWE calls "several curious text messages sent by Benoit." (Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
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Police car parked outside house of WWE professional wrestler Chris Benoit, where he, his wife Nancy, and his son Daniel were found dead, Fayetteville, Georgia, June 25, 2007. (AP)
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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.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Michelle Obama tells how her role as the First Lady has changed her perspective.
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See all 365 CommentsI 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The police should not be too hasty to label this a murder-suicide.
It could have been staged to look that way.
The placing of that Bible near the bodies of the wife and son, looks like what would be done by professional killers to make it look like a murder-suicide by a deranged man.
Performers in professional wrestling are known to have dangerous enemies.
This was a horrible situation and hope both families find closure.
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See all 365 Comments