<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">WWE professional wrestler Chris Benoit his wife Nancy and their 7-year-old son were found dead in their home near White Water Country Club in Fayette County on Monday afternoon.
Lieutenant Tommy Pope of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department said the three were found about 2:30 p.m., but he would release no other details.
Pope said results of autopsies on Benoit, his wife Nancy, and 7-year-old son Daniel were expected Tuesday. Police are investigating the deaths as a homicide.
Benoit, 40, was a former world heavyweight champion, Intercontinental champion and held several tag-team titles over his career.
On their Web site, World Wrestling Entertainment officials said that Benoit and his family were found dead on Monday afternoon.
The statement said, "World Wrestling Entertainment is deeply saddened to report that today Chris Benoit and his family were found dead in their home. There are no further details at this time, other than the Benoit family residence is currently being investigated by local authorities. Monday night's 'Raw' on USA Network will serve as a tribute to Chris Benoit and his family."
WWE president Vince McMahon began Monday's USA Network "WWE Raw" program by announcing Benoit's death, and announcing that Monday's live program would be canceled. He said that in its place, they would air a three-hour tribute to Benoit's wrestling career.
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, a Canadian native, maintained a home in metro Atlanta from the time he wrestled for the now-defunct World Championship Wrestling.
Benoit's wife, Nancy, managed several wrestlers and went by the stage name, "Woman." The newspaper says they met when her then-husband drew up a script that had them involved in a relationship as part of an ongoing storyline on Turner-owned World Championship Wrestling.
I am shocked by this news, and aggrevated that I can't find more news about this.<marquee> [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img] R.I.P. Chris [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img] R.I.P. Nancy [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img] R.I.P. Daniel [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img] </marquee>
Associated Press, Updated 2 minutes ago
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) - 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 Tuesday.
The official spoke on the condition of anonymity.
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 who were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide.
Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard said test results may not be back for weeks or even months.
Autopsies were scheduled Tuesday by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in DeKalb County.
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.
Benoit has two other children from a prior relationship.
Benoit became a standout at an early age among wrestling prospects who trained in the dungeon basement of the house where fellow Canadians and professional wrestlers Owen and Bret Hart trained. Owen Hart was killed during a wrestling event in 1999.
"He was like a family member to me, and everyone in my family is taking it real hard," said Bret Hart, a five-time champion with the now-defunct World Wrestling Federation.
rog: When I found out about this yesterday, my first fear was something like this would turn out to be outcome. How sad, I can't understand how he could smother his 7 year old son...What a freaking waste of life
[img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img]
No doubt!!! It is just so sad and I would be money that roids were involved!!! [img]graemlins/broken_heart.gif[/img]
I think he did too many flying head-butts off of the top rope.
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks