WWE wrestler, Chris Benoit, kills family and himself

[Farkas]

Pro wrestler Chris Benoit asphyxiated his son and wife, leaving copies of the Bible next to each of their bodies, before he hanged himself in a basement weight room using a cord from one of the weight machines, law enforcement officials said Tuesday afternoon.

Police ruled the deaths a murder-suicide a day after discovering Benoit, his wife, Nancy, and their 7-year-old son, Daniel, dead in the family's suburban Atlanta home.

[CUT]

Nancy Benoit was bound, had blood under her head and was wrapped in a towel, Pope said. Fayette Count District Attorney Scott Ballard described the state of her body -- face down on the hardwood floor -- as "the only sign of a struggle."

[CUT]

Police said Benoit then asphyxiated their son early Saturday morning. The boy was found face down in his bed, and there were no handmarks on his neck, Ballard said.

Benoit killed himself in the basement either late Saturday or early Sunday. Ballard said the wrestler, listed as 5 feet 10 inches, and weighing 220 pounds, was found hanging by his neck from a weight machine.

[CUT]

Authorities said they currently have no motive for the crime, adding that they will await the results of toxicology reports and will investigate computers and telephones found in the Benoit home.

[CUT]

Wade Keller, founder of PWTorch.com, a professional wrestling Web site, said that steroid use is simply part of the WWE culture. "It's considered the price you pay to be a pro wrestler," Keller said, placing the blame for rampant steroid use in part on Vince McMahon, the chairman of the WWE board.

"The No. 1 guy who runs this industry has a body fetish," Keller said. "He's obsessed with bodies, and he's always pushing muscular guys to the top because they have that comic-book image."

McMahon faced a federal indictment on steroid-related charges in the early 1990s but was acquitted when the case went to trial in 1994.

The WWE also reported that it was in possession of further information regarding the police investigation and the cause of death, but the Fayette County Sheriff's Department had requested that the pro wrestling organization not release additional details at this time.

The Journal-Constitution also reported that Benoit and his wife went through a difficult period after their marriage in 2000. Nancy Benoit petitioned for protection against domestic abuse as part of a 2003 divorce filing -- describing her husband as a "threat." In May 2003, a judge granted a restraining order, but both were dismissed upon Nancy Benoit's request three months later.

Benoit was a former world heavyweight and Intercontinental champion. He also held several tag-team titles during his career. The native of Canada maintained a home in metro Atlanta from the time he wrestled for the defunct World Championship Wrestling.

Source (http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=3315501&page=1) Page 2 (http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=3315501&page=2)

That guy used to be one of my favourite wrestlers when I used to watch the show in South Africa. The whole show is some twisted shit seeing how many have died under steroid use. But this is far worse. This fucking bastard can go ahead and commit suicide all he wants, but dragging his wife and kid along is the sign that he was nuts. I hope this rotten moron's soul will go to hell :mad:

Eddy Guerrero, the British Bulldog, Curt Henning are a couple of wrestlers that have died because of steroid use.

http://www.photofile.com/Photos/Photos_Of_The_Day/06_03_28/ChrisBenoit_315.jpg

Chris Benoit

[Johnson]

The news is now reporting that he killed his kid with his WWE 'finishing move.'

Which is morbidly amusing. Sure, it sucks the kid had to die, but death by 'finishing move?' C'maaaaaan.

[Ahknaton]

The news is now reporting that he killed his kid with his WWE 'finishing move.'

Which is morbidly amusing. Sure, it sucks the kid had to die, but death by 'finishing move?' C'maaaaaan.
Yes that is morbidly amusing. I was joking with mates that he body-slammed his wife to death or hit her with a plastic chair. Kind of disturbing that it's close to the truth in the case of his kid. Good thing I didn't post it on Wikipedia or I'd probably be a suspect :eek:.

I wonder if his tag-team partner is being considered as a second suspect.

[Warka]

Just came across this newsbit: http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ap-wrestlerdead&prov=ap&type=lgns

Pro wrestler Benoit bought excessive amounts of injectable steroids, papers say

By HARRY R. WEBER

July 2, 2007

The pro wrestler who strangled his wife and son and committed suicide last month bought injectable steroids excessively, according to court papers released Monday. His doctor was charged with improperly prescribing drugs to other patients.

Dr. Phil Astin prescribed a 10-month supply of anabolic steroids to Chris Benoit every three to four weeks between May 2006 and May 2007, a Drug Enforcement Administration agent said in an affidavit filed Friday and made public Monday.

During a probe of "RX Weight Loss," Benoit was identified as an excessive buyer of injectable steroids, the document states. Prosecutors would not say what "RX Weight Loss" is.

The affidavit also said Astin supplied various controlled substances, including injectable anabolic steroids, that were found in Benoit's home.

Astin has not been charged with supplying steroids to Benoit, though U.S. Attorney David E. Nahmias said more charges are possible.

The anabolic steroids found in Benoit's home led officials to wonder whether the drugs played a role in the killings that started the weekend of June 22. Some experts believe steroids can cause paranoia, depression and violent outbursts known as "roid rage." Toxicology tests on Benoit's body have not been completed.

A federal indictment issued Monday charges Astin with improperly dispensing painkillers and other drugs to two different patients.

Prosecutors allege in the seven-count indictment that Astin dispensed drugs including Percocet, Xanax, Lorcet and Vicoprofen between April 2004 and September 2005. The recipients were identified in the indictment by the initials O.G. and M.J.; Benoit's initials were not listed.

Astin pleaded not guilty and was being held in lieu of $125,000 bond. He will be under house arrest once he posts bond and must surrender his medical license, U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda Walker ordered.

Astin had written prescriptions for about 1 million doses of controlled substances over the past two years, including "significant quantities" of injectable testosterone cypionate, an anabolic steroid, according to the criminal complaint.

The complaint by Drug Enforcement Administration agent Anissa Jones said the amount of prescriptions was "excessive" for a medical office with a sole practitioner in a rural area like Carrollton, about 40 miles west of Atlanta.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Horn said that when agents raided the doctor's office Wednesday, Astin was carrying Benoit's medical file.

Astin's attorney, Manny Arora, said the doctor had brought the file because he thought the authorities would want it.

Federal drug agents have taken over the probe into whether Astin improperly prescribed testosterone and other drugs to Benoit before the killings and suicide in the wrestler's suburban Atlanta home last month. State prosecutors and sheriff's officials are overseeing the death investigation.

Investigators have conducted two raids at Astin's west Georgia office since last week.

Astin prescribed testosterone for Benoit, a longtime friend, in the past but has not said what, if any, medications he prescribed when Benoit visited his office June 22, the day authorities believe Benoit killed his wife.

"We're still asking questions and searching for answers with regard to the death so we can tie up loose ends," said Scott Ballard, Fayette County district attorney.

Authorities have said Benoit strangled his wife and son, placing Bibles next to their bodies, before hanging himself with the cable of a weight machine in his home.

The boy had old needle marks in his arms, Ballard has said. He said he had been told the parents considered him undersized and had given him growth hormones.

Benoit's father, Michael, said Monday that "it's impossible to come up with a rational explanation for a very irrational act."

"Let the cards fall where they fall, we have no control over it at this point," he said.

[il ragno]

I'll go ya one better.....

http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/2275

Benoit's Son Didn't Have Fragile X Syndrome

The Chris Benoit murder-suicide just keeps getting weirder and weirder. The latest twist in the bizarre case is revealed in a statement by Scott Ballard, District Attorney of Fayette County, Georgia:

"There are additional reports that contradict the earlier information that suggested that Daniel Benoit may have suffered from Dwarf Syndrome or Fragile X Syndrome. Daniel's family denies that he suffered from either condition. As a result of the family's concerns, the Fayette County Sheriff's investigators and the District Attorney's Office have inquired into this matter. A source having access to certain of Daniel's medical reports reviewed those reports, and they do not mention any pre-existing mental or physical impairment. Reports from Daniel's educators likewise contradict the claims that Daniel was physically undersized. The educators report that Daniel graduated kindergarten and was prepared to enter the first grade on par with the other students."

Chris Benoit's parents have denied that their grandson Daniel Benoit had Fragile X syndrome, and these statement seem to prove it. So now the questions remain- why did someone want us to believe that he had Fragile X, and who put that rumor out there?

[raven]

Chris Benoit did NOT use his finishing move to take out his son. The mainstream media is very sensationalist about this bullcrap so don't believe what they are saying about this. He cut off the oxygen of his son and put him out with a choke hold. Benoit's finisher is not a choke hold but the "Crippler Crossface" submission hold.

[cerberus]

Whatever was the motivating factor it is a tragedy and you have to think that some depressive feature was involved that he had to take his familty with him.

Steriod use is not without its dangers - it can screw wtith your body and your mind.

I did not know that "The British Bulldog" was dead - my sone used to watch wrestling when he was growing up - I have not seen it for years BBD was a favorite of his.

What a waste......

[Larrikin]

Terrible tragedy.

The massive drug abuse in professional wrestling is horrifying and doing steroids and other stuff certainly does push some people over the edge.

Does anyone remember the von Erich brothers?
Of the five living brothers (a sixth one died at the age of seven), all of them wrestlers, one died of drug abuse and three of suicide.

The British Bulldog
Owen Hart
Chris Benoit
Eddie Guerrero
Yokozuna
Rick Rude
Flying Brian
...

Just some of the names I knew that died very prematurely.

[Warka]

Terrible tragedy.

The massive drug abuse in professional wrestling is horrifying and doing steroids and other stuff certainly does push some people over the edge.

Does anyone remember the von Erich brothers?
Of the five living brothers (a sixth one died at the age of seven), all of them wrestlers, one died of drug abuse and three of suicide.

I don't think drugs are as big a problem here as stated. I think in some cases these guys simply wake up one day, stand in front of the mirror, and in a moment of miraculous clarity realize they're "professional wrestlers" of all things they could have chosen to be in life.

I know that would have me looking for the nearest gun to eat. No drugs needed.

[Larrikin]

Well, lot's of them don't kill themselves, but simply drop dead with heart attacks or seizures in their 30s and 40s.

Eddie Guerrero 38 Heart attack
Yokozuna 34 Heart attack
Rick Rude 41 Heart attack
Flying Brian 35 Overdose
Mr. Pefect 45 Overdose
Hawk (LoD) 47 Heart attack
The British Bulldog 39 Heart attack
Scott "Bam Bam" Bigelow 45 Overdose
Jay Taylor (Big Boss Man) 42 Heart attack

Just the famous ones from the last few years...

[Slavic Enforcer]

I don't think drugs are as big a problem here as stated. I think in some cases these guys simply wake up one day, stand in front of the mirror, and in a moment of miraculous clarity realize they're "professional wrestlers" of all things they could have chosen to be in life.

I know that would have me looking for the nearest gun to eat. No drugs needed.

I know what you mean.

What's a world-known Wrestler compared with a Internet big-mouth.

[Warka]

I know what you mean.

What's a world-known Wrestler compared with a Internet big-mouth.

Apparently the wrestler's dead or soon to be and the other isn't? :)

[Starr]

ATLANTA (AP) -- A doctor who examined brain matter from former pro wrestler Chris Benoit is saying the wrestler had brain damage from multiple concussions that was consistent with what's seen in Alzheimer's patients.

Doctors say the damage from years in the ring may have been a leading cause for Benoit killing his wife, children and himself at their Atlanta-area home in June.

The Sports Legacy Institute, an organization that advances health and wellness of athletes, coordinated the testing using samples of Benoit's brain tissue provided by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, with the permission of Benoit's father.

Despite the results, Dr. Robert Cantu, a member of the institute and chief of neurosurgery service at Emerson Hospital in Concord, Massachusetts, said there was no way to know for sure if the concussions Benoit suffered caused the murder-suicide.

Cantu did say that the brain injury Benoit suffered can cause depression and irrational behavior.

Cantu said Benoit's brain showed the same degenerative processes that doctors working for the institute found in the brains of three National Football League players who committed suicide.

He said there were abnormal protein deposits caused by trauma to Benoit's brain.

Cantu also said there's no evidence so far that steroids contributed to the attack.

Anabolic steroids were found in Benoit's home, and tests conducted by authorities showed Benoit had roughly 10 times the normal level of testosterone in his system when he died.

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=4267920&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

[Kodos]

I don't think drugs are as big a problem here as stated. I think in some cases these guys simply wake up one day, stand in front of the mirror, and in a moment of miraculous clarity realize they're "professional wrestlers" of all things they could have chosen to be in life.

In most societies this would be true...

In America they are actually respected...

[Larrikin]

So the execessive testoseron level was caused by hits on the head?

I think someone is trying desperate to keep drugs out of this.
"Make it an accident..."

[The Retard]

I don't know if this was posted or not but Crush aka Brian Adams died recently at the age of 43.

[Slavic Enforcer]

I don't know if this was posted or not but Crush aka Brian Adams died recently at the age of 43.

No, it wasn't but I know it. May he Rest in Peace.

By the way, today they said Benoit's brain looked like that of a 85-years old person with Alzheimer's disease.