On June 25, 2007, professional wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their 7-year-old son Daniel were found dead in their Fayetteville, Georgia, home at around 2:30 p.m. EDT.^[1] The Fayette County, Georgia Sheriff's Department is currently investigating this case. Police entered Benoit's home on a "welfare check" after several missed appointments, and found three dead bodies.^[2] Investigators confirmed that Benoit, over a three day period, murdered his wife and son and committed suicide.^[3]

Murder-suicide

Nancy Benoit

On Friday, June 22, Benoit killed his wife. A Bible was left by her body and she died of strangulation.^[4] She had bruises on her back and stomach consistent with Benoit pressing a knee into the back while pulling on a cord around the neck.^[5]

It was later revealed that Nancy had filed for divorce in May 2003, allegedly after domestic abuse from Chris, but had withdrawn it in August 2003, according to the County's district attorney Scott Ballard.^[6]

Between the two killings

At about 3:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, June 23, a co-worker (later confirmed to be Chavo Guerrero^[7]) received a voice message from Benoit stating he missed his flight and overslept and would be late for that night's house show in Beaumont, Texas. According to the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) website, the co-worker called Benoit back and Benoit sounded tired and groggy as he confirmed everything he had said in his voice message. The same co-worker, "concerned about Benoit's tone and demeanor," called him back twelve minutes later. Benoit did not answer the call and the co-worker left a message stating, "just call me back". At 3:44 p.m. EDT, Benoit called the co-worker back, stating he did not answer the call because he was on the phone with Delta Air Lines changing his flight. "Benoit stated he had a real stressful day due to Nancy and Daniel being sick with food poisoning," the WWE Web site said. According to WWE.com, a co-worker who often travels with Benoit called him from outside the Houston airport and Benoit answered. "Benoit told the co-worker that Nancy was throwing up blood and that Daniel was also throwing up." Between the two killings, Benoit later called WWE's "Talent Relations" office, stating that his son was throwing up and that he and Nancy were in the hospital with their son, and that he would be taking a later flight into Houston, but would make the live event in Beaumont.^[8]

Daniel Benoit

Daniel was suffocated by Benoit in his own bedroom, killing him. A Bible was left by the boy's body.^[6] However, it was revealed on June 27 that Benoit may have killed his son with a choke hold. Scott Ballard said, "the boy had internal injuries to the throat area, but showed no bruises", indicating he may have been locked in the crook of his father's own arm.^[5] Daniel's exact time of death is unknown.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). Daniel had needle marks in his arm, suggesting that he had been given growth hormones because Benoit and his family considered him undersized; which was theorized to be most likely the result of him suffering from Fragile X Syndrome.^[9] However, District Attorney Scott Ballard released a statement saying that a source having access to Daniel's medical files reviewed said files and found that they mention no pre-existing mental or physical ailments. Likewise, Daniel Benoit's educators report that Daniel was on par with other students and not about to be held back as previously thought.^[10] The reports also determine that Benoit's 7-year-old son, Daniel, was sedated with Xanax when he was killed.

Text messages

Between 3:51 and 3:58 a.m. EDT on June 24 2007, five text messages were sent to Benoit's co-workers (among whom were Chavo Guerrero and ECW referee Scott Armstrong) from both Benoit's and his wife's phone.^{[11] [12]} The first, third, fourth and fifth text messages stated: "My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane, Fayetteville Georgia. 30215" (except the fifth message omitted the word "physical"). The second text message which, according to Scott Ballard, was believed to have been sent to his neighbor to get someone to find their bodies after he committed suicide (although Chavo claims to have also received the message), stated: "The dogs are in the enclosed pool area. Garage side door is open".^[9] WWE officials were notified of the text messages sent to the co-workers two hours before the bodies were found.^[11]

Chris Benoit

The perpetrator, Chris Benoit, according to Scott Ballard, died of suicide by hanging.^[4] Benoit apparently used a cord, normally part of the weight machine, to hang himself. When Benoit released the weights - about 240 pounds (110 kg), which weighed more than he did - it caused his strangulation. Ballard said the pull-down bar had been removed and Benoit's body was found seated against the machine.^[5]

Possible motives

There is no evidence that Benoit left a suicide note of any kind, making it difficult to understand any possible motives for his actions.

But, there was a diary that Benoit had been writing in since the death of close friend Eddie Guerrero. ^{[citation needed]}

WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt appeared on MSNBC Live with Dan Abrams on July 17 2007 said that Benoit was prescribed testosterone as part of a treatment for testosterone replacement therapy, which McDevitt said was a common medical practice for people who had used steroids in the past, and had suffered testicular damage as a result.

Former wrestler and Harvard graduate Christopher Nowinski, who has since gone on to be a groundbreaker in the field of sports-related concussion trauma and Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (or CTE), along with the writing of the book Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis, has said that Benoit may have been suffering from repeated, untreated concussions throughout his wrestling career, ultimately leading to an unstable mental state. Nowinski has been quoted as saying that Benoit "was one of the only guys who would take a chair shot to the back of the head...which is stupid."^[13]

Tests conducted on Chris Benoit's brain tissue have revealed he suffered from acute Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and had brain damage in all four lobes of the brain and brain stem. His extensive brain damage, which "resembled that of an 85 year-old Alzheimer's patient" is believed to be the leading cause of the murders.

Responses to the killings

World Wrestling Entertainment

Initial WWE response

The event was first reported to fans of World Wrestling Entertainment on their WWE Mobile Alerts Service and posted to their official website soon after. On their website, World Wrestling Entertainment released the following statement:

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. Tonight’s Raw on USA Network will serve as a tribute to Chris Benoit and his family. WWE extends its sincerest thoughts and prayers to the Benoit family’s relatives and loved ones in this time of tragedy. ^[14]

WWE canceled the scheduled three hour long live RAW show on June 25, and replaced the broadcast version with a tribute to his life and career, featuring his past matches, segments from the Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story DVD, and comments from wrestlers and announcers.^[15] Shortly after the program aired, many of the aired comments were posted on WWE.com. It wasn't until the program was nearly over that reports surfaced that police were working under the belief that Benoit murdered his wife and son before killing himself.

WWE's internal response

The next night, after the details of the deaths became concrete, the company aired a recorded statement by its Chairman Vince McMahon before their ECW broadcast:

Last night on 'Monday Night RAW', the WWE presented a special tribute show, recognizing the career of Chris Benoit. However, now some 26 hours later, the facts of this horrific tragedy are now apparent. Therefore, other than my comments, there will be no mention of Mr. Benoit's name tonight. On the contrary, tonight's show will be dedicated to everyone who has been affected by this terrible incident. This evening marks the first step of the healing process. Tonight, the WWE performers will do what they do better than anyone else in the world: entertain you. ^[16]

Since learning about the full details of his and his family's deaths, WWE has quickly and quietly distanced itself from Chris Benoit. With the exception of his results and listings in WWE's title history (though the summaries of his title reigns have been removed), pictures of him in WWE's previous Power 25 rankings, and select press releases from WWE's corporate subsite (corporate.wwe.com)^[17], the WWE's website removed all past mentions (including all news articles relating to the killings as well as the video tribute comments from Benoit's peers) of Benoit. Their merchandising subsite wweshop.com would follow suit in regards to all Benoit-related merchandise. However, Benoit merchandise, including action figures, is still available at retail stores.

WWE also has decided to edit out all matches that contained Benoit from rebroadcasts of matches from their extensive video library. (See WWE video library)

It is also important to note that no matches involving Benoit have shown up on any new DVD releases by the WWE since the incident and likely never will again. He was also removed from the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 video game after originally being included as a playable wrestler.

Response from the Professional Wrestling Industry

Numerous individuals in professional wrestling past and present commented on the death of Benoit including Lex Luger,^[18] Marc Mero,^[19] Ted DiBiase,^[20][21] Lance Storm,^[22] Joanie Laurer,^[23] Hulk Hogan,^[24] Steve Blackman,^[25] Ultimate Warrior,^[26] Kurt Angle,^[27], Chris Jericho^[28],William Regal,^[29] and New Jack.

In 2003, Benoit was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. As a result of the double murder-suicide, his induction will undergo a recall election in 2008. Benoit will be removed from the Hall of Fame if 60 percent or more of the WON Hall of Fame voters elect to remove him. This is similar to the policies of the Baseball and Pro Football Halls of Fame.^[30]

Media response

When the news was released about Benoit's death, most mainstream news outlets covered the story, including MSNBC^[31] and Fox News.^[32] Benoit made the cover of People magazine. ECW Press announced on July 16 that noted wrestling writer Irvin Muchnick would publish a book on the Benoit case, due out in 2008.^[33] At the Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav in the summer of 2007, Jimmy Kimmel joked to honoree Flavor Flav that "Chris Benoit is a better father than you". The line aired despite an objection from Comedy Central censors. ^[34]

Government Response

With Benoit and his death allegedly linked to steroid abuse, WWE is currently under investigation by the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform regarding their talent wellness policy.^[35]

Steroids debate

Background

Steroids were found in the home, leading some media organizations to hypothesize that a steroid-induced rage may be the cause of Benoit's actions, as some doctors have linked steroid use to uncontrollable anger, among other psychological issues which include paranoia.^[36][37] WWE released a press-statement, challenging the "roid-rage" claims.^[38] One part of the statement reads:

The physical findings announced by authorities indicate deliberation, not rage. The wife’s feet and hands were bound and she was asphyxiated, not beaten to death. By the account of the authorities, there were substantial periods of time between the death of the wife and the death of the son, again suggesting deliberate thought, not rage. The presence of a Bible by each is also not an act of rage.^[39]

Prosecutors in New York have been investigating the deliveries Benoit received from Signature Pharmacy and MedXLife.com, which sold steroids and human growth hormone over the Internet. Terence Kindlon, who is the lawyer for MedXLife co-owner Dr. Gary Brandwein, denied allegations that his client's company sold steroids to Benoit. Brandwein has pleaded not guilty to six counts in New York state court related to the criminal sale of a controlled substance. According to a report from Sports Illustrated, three packages sent to Benoit were from Signature Pharmacy with the first one sent in December 2005 to San Antonio, Texas. The second package was sent on February 13 2006 to an address in Peachtree City, Georgia and the third package was sent in July 2006 to Fort Walton Beach, Florida.^[40] This followed eleven superstars that were announced in a Sports Illustrated steroids investigation that began March 2007, which included Kurt Angle, Eddie Guerrero, Oscar Gutierrez, Randy Orton, Adam Copeland and Shane Helms, with both Copeland and Helms receiving a high amount of steroids.^[41]

World Wrestling Entertainment attorney Jerry McDevitt has stated that "they believe the facts of this crime do not support the hypothesis that "roid rage" played a role in the murders." They cite evidence of premeditation in addition to the lack of a toxicology report, and the fact that the steroids found within Benoit's home were legally prescribed.^[42][43] Dr. Gary I. Wadler who currently serves on the World Anti-Doping Agency's Prohibited List and Methods Committee and has served on its Health, Medicine, and Research Committee agreed stating that "that was a premeditated act and that's not rage".^[44] Investigators seized Benoit's medical record and they also have his wife Nancy's medical record. They also have medical records of the following: Mark Jindrak, Hardcore Holly, Lex Luger, Rey Mysterio, Buff Bagwell, and Johnny Grunge. All of them were patients of Dr. Phil Astin.^[45] The toxicology report on Chris Benoit's body was released Tuesday July 17 2007 at 2:30 p.m. EDT.^[46]

Toxicology results

At the press conference held by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at 2:30 p.m. EDT on July 17 2007, it was announced that three different drugs were found in Nancy Benoit's system: hydrocodone, hydromorphone and Xanax. All three drugs were found to be at levels investigators considered normal for therapeutic treatment (as opposed to recreational use or abuse.) A blood-alcohol level was found at 0.184. Dr. Kris Sperry added it was impossible to say whether any of the blood findings was due to ingestion of alcohol or the post-mortem process. It was also ruled out that Nancy was sedated by Chris before she was murdered.^[47]

Xanax was found in Daniel Benoit's system. Scott Ballard noted this was not a drug that would be given to a child under normal circumstances. It is believed that Daniel was sedated prior to being murdered, with Dr. Sperry ruling out that Daniel died of a drug overdose.^[47] However, The GBI said in the Press Conference that it could not perform tests for steroids or human growth hormones on Daniel because of a lack of urine.^[48]

Xanax and hydrocodone were also found in Chris Benoit's system, at levels investigators called consistent with therapeutic use. Elevated levels of testosterone cypionate were found in his urine; investigators believed that the level found suggested it had been taken recently. No artificial steroids were found in Chris's urine (with the exception of this testosterone cypionate) nor was there evidence of GHB, contrary to speculation.^[47] Benoit also tested negative for blood alcohol.^[49][50]

DNA Test Results

The Fayette County district attorney has confirmed DNA test results are back in the Chris Benoit investigation. D.A. Scott Ballard said the testing was to determine whether there was DNA evidence indicating any person had been in Benoit's home besides him, his wife, Nancy, and their son at the time of their deaths. The D.A. said he has not seen detailed results yet but he has been informed they do not change the sheriff's office conclusion that the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide carried out by Chris Benoit. Source: WSBTV.

Dr. Astin

Dr. Phil Astin was the personal doctor for Chris Benoit. It's been alleged that Astin gave Benoit steroids. Astin is currently in court. Attorneys for Dr. Phil Astin have asked a judge to throw out evidence seized during a raid on Astin's office after the death of Chris Benoit and his family. Astin's attorney, Manny Arora claims that the search exceeded authority granted in a search warrant and that authorities seized patients records other than Benoit as well as three years of bank records and computers. This information comes from Wrestling Observor a magazine devoted to professional wrestling.

Wikipedia controversy

Template:Wikinewspar3 A statement regarding Nancy Benoit's death was added to the Chris Benoit English Wikipedia article 14 hours before police discovered the bodies of Benoit and his family. This seemingly prescient addition was initially reported on Wikinews and later on FOXNews.com. The article originally read: “Chris Benoit was replaced by Johnny Nitro for the ECW World Championship match at Vengeance, as Benoit was not there due to personal issues, stemming from the death of his wife Nancy.” The phrase "stemming from the death of his wife Nancy" was added at 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 25,^[51][52] whereas the Fayette County police reportedly discovered the bodies of the Benoit family at 2:30 p.m. EDT (14 hours, 29 minutes later). The IP address of the editor was traced to Stamford, Connecticut, which is also the location of WWE headquarters.^[53] After news of the early death notice reached mainstream media, the anonymous poster accessed Wikinews to explain his edit as a "huge coincidence and nothing more."^[54][55]

Police have "seized computer equipment from the person responsible for the postings," and have called the confession an "unbelievable hindrance."^[56] It has also been reported that "if the person had knowledge of the death before police discovered the body, he or she could face criminal charges."^[56]

The IP allegedly responsible for the edit in question has been traced to vandalizing the Wikipedia entries for Ron Artest, Stacy Keibler, as well as vandalizing the Wikipedia entry for Naugatuck, Connecticut.^[57]

Chronic traumatic brain damage

After the double-murder suicide, Chris Benoit's father, Michael Benoit, was contacted by former wrestler Christopher Nowinski, who had suggested that years of trauma to Chris Benoit's brain may have led to his actions. Tests were conducted on Chris Benoit's brain by Julian Bailes, the head of neurosurgery at West Virginia University, and results showed that "Benoit's brain was so severely damaged it resembled the brain of an 85-year-old Alzheimer's patient."^[58] Benoit's brain was shown to have an advanced form of dementia and was similar to the brains of four retired NFL players who have suffered multiple concussions, sank into depression and harmed themselves or others. Bailes and his colleagues concluded that repeated concussions can lead to dementia, which can contribute to severe behavioral problems. Benoit's father suggests that brain damage may have been the leading cause of the double murder-suicide.^[59] A statement released by WWE dismissed this idea as "speculative."^[60]

See also

For more information on Chris Benoit, the double murder and suicide, and the ensuing media coverage:

• Geraldo Rivera
• Nancy Grace

References

External links

• ProWrestlingPress.com Benoit Family Tragedy Timeline
• SLAM! Wrestling — Chris Benoit
• NPR: Wikipedia Entry Presaged Wrestler's Wife's Death