Chris Benoit is Dead!

[smashstuff]

WTF is going on?

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/2821/benoit2xlargean0.jpg


http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4919522.html

Pro wrestler Chris Benoit, wife and son found dead
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — WWE wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife, and son were found dead Monday and police said they were investigating the deaths as a murder-suicide.

Detective Bo Turner told television station WAGA that the case was being treated as a murder-suicide, but said that couldn't be confirmed until evidence was examined by a crime lab.

The station said that investigators believe the 40-year-old Benoit killed his wife, Nancy, and 7-year-old son, Daniel, over the weekend, then himself on Monday. A neighbor called police, and the bodies were found in three rooms.

Lead investigator Lt. Tommy Pope, of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department, told The Associated Press the deaths were being investigated as homicide, and that the causes of death awaited autopsy results on Tuesday. Pope said the bodies were discovered about 2:30 p.m., but refused to release details.

The house is in a secluded neighborhood set back about 60 yards off a gravel road, surrounded by stacked stone wall and a double-iron gate. On Monday night, the house was dark except for a few outside lights. There was a police car in front, along with two uniformed officers.

Benoit was a former world heavyweight and Intercontinental champion. He also held several tag-team titles during 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 website.

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."

The native of Canada 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.

"My relationship with Chris has extended many years and I consider him a great friend," Carl DeMarco, the president of WWE Canada, said in a statement. "Chris was always first-class — warm, friendly, caring and professional one of the best in our business."

[taloho]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070626/ap_on_re_us/wrestler_dead;_ylt=AnZ5Mc_s2Ol4vUfFN7db9UlkM3wV

AP: Benoit strangled wife, smothered son By GREG BLUESTEIN, Associated Press Writer

ATLANTA - Pro wrestler Chris Benoit strangled his wife and smothered his son before hanging himself in his weight room, a law enforcement official close to the investigation told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Authorities also said they are investigating whether steroids may have been a factor in the deaths of Benoit, his wife and their 7-year-old son. Steroid abuse has been linked to depression, paranoia, and aggressive behavior or angry outbursts known as "roid rage."
"We don't know yet. That's one of the things we'll be looking at," said Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard. He said test results may not be back for weeks.

Autopsies were scheduled Tuesday by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Authorities were investigating the deaths at a secluded Fayette County home as a murder-suicide and were not seeking any suspects. The official who described the manner of death spoke on the condition of anonymity because the information was to be released at a news conference later Tuesday.

Investigators believe Benoit (pronounced ben-WAH) killed his wife, 43-year-old Nancy, and son Daniel during the weekend and then himself Monday. The bodies were found Monday afternoon in three separate rooms of the house, off a gravel road about two miles from the Whitewater Country Club.

Fayette County Coroner C.J. Mowell did not return calls seeking comment. The answering service for his funeral home said he was out of town.

Asked about the condition of the interior of the house, sheriff's Sgt. Keith Whiteside said investigators found "nothing really out of the ordinary." He said Benoit was found in the home's weight room, his wife in an office and the son in an upstairs bedroom.

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.

Benoit, born in Montreal, was a former world heavyweight champion, Intercontinental champion and held several tag-team titles. His names in the ring included "The Canadian Crippler."

"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 metro Atlanta from the time he wrestled for the defunct World Championship Wrestling. The Fayette County Tax Assessors Office lists the value of the house, situated 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's wife managed several wrestlers and went by the stage name "Woman." They met when her then-husband drew up a script that had them involved in a relationship as part of a story line on World Championship Wrestling, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Benoit has two other children from a prior relationship.

___

Associated Press writers Debbie Newby and Jason Bronis contributed to this report.

[james777]

This is a sad day for the WWE!

[ashyr]

he was one of the very few wrestler's with originality and continued without changing tacts or schemes to make people like him. he was awesome.

just like BIG sexy kevin nash, and brutus the barber beefcake. hehe

[aznality]

I follow WWE and was surprised to hear about this yesterday. It is ironic how they were attempting to fake McMahon's death, then comes along Benoit's case.

As for the suspicions, it is really hard to say if it was murder or suicide. They rule cases as 'suicide' way too easily.

Not a big fan of Benoit anyway, but R.I.P.

[oneofmany]

If he killed his wife and child, he doesn't deserve to RIP. Fuck him!

[chris]

crazy.

[dondaz]

Fortunately suicide is something I have never, nor will I ever, comtemplate!

Why do some of these suicidals have to kill others? Especially children! Is it in order to give themselves a reason or justification in taking their own life?

Too interested in his body to take care of his mind!

Material success can never make up for lack of spiritual harmony in anyones' life.

Bloody sad all round.

[fantana]

Fortunately suicide is something I have never, nor will I ever, comtemplate!


Well, good for you. If you have never contemplated it, then how could you possibly try and understand what goes through a persons mind when they do, or attempt to?

[dondaz]

Hi fantana,

If you have never contemplated it, then how could you possibly try and understand what goes through a persons mind when they do, or attempt to?

Because I have seen the effects of suicide many times. People hopelessly lost in thier own minds with no way out, as they see it, so death in comparason to their current state of mind is a blessing to some.

I have never given a thought to killing myself, but I have given many thoughts as to why other people kill themselves and tried to put myself in their position as to their state of mind at the time. Which is a very hard thing to do, I have no doubt.

At the end of the day we are talking about a man who has killed his wife and child, if he actually did it I mean, then killed himself.

Should I consider myself lucky for never having contemplated suicide?

I have had many a dark thought pass through my mind, real thoughts about real people who have abused me from early childhood. I grew up with a 6"7" evil step-father who controlled and abused six of us kids and my mom. Mentally, physically and sexually since I was three years old.

Taken into care and physically and sexually abused there. Being bullied for years on end by other abused kids. Then ending up in prison for many years being abused by other prisoners and screws and a corrupt system that wants violence and madness and mayhem.

I have woken up to many a dead cell mate hanging by his bedsheets from the bars of a cell window. Had men slash their wrists and spray me with their blood as the screws, before they decided to get him medical treatment, contemplate wether this guy was serious or doing it for attention.

I have seen suicides and murders, gang warfare and serious crime. I'm now 41, a MMA and have been around a little bit. I carry mental scars with me that go deep but I try not to reflect my insecurities on other people.

So there you have it. Just a few of the basics on me and my past. I could go into detail but I'll leave that for another post when I feel like telling more.

I hope you get the point my friend.

Best

Darren

[dondaz]

BTW, Chris Benoit couldn't handle UFC, Pride or Vale Tudo, he was all brawn and no brain!