Chris Benoit and wife found dead

[Wee67]

Just a small addition to the info- Investigators say they have recovered the "instruments" of death. I have heard that it was not a gun, but I did not see anything about the possibility of a knife. That also leaves the possibility of blunt force trauma. All the deaths are a tragedy, but the thought of the child's death just makes me shudder.

I'm hearing there is some sort of connection with Martel's death. Very unclear and still far from confirmed. How did she die? Is there some sort of known connection between her and Benoit?

I have not followed wrestling in a long while, so forgive my question if it is out of line. Has the recent deaths here been tied together with any possible connection? I know one of the side effects of streroid abuse can be depression. Have these deaths been suicides or unusual health incidents (heart attack at young age, etc.)?

[JDeRouen]

I'm hearing there is some sort of connection with Martel's death. Very unclear and still far from confirmed. How did she die? Is there some sort of known connection between her and Benoit?

Other than them both being Canadian, none that I can recall.

[Mikey]

It does seem a good deal of wrestlers that have been dying lately are Canadian.

[mitchedwards]

I've been out of watching wrestling since WCW folded. So whats the deal about Vince McMahons death?

[Mikey]

He had a storyline where he was in his limo and it blew up......

WHO DID IT ?

That was the story.

[toys2cool]

Just a small addition to the info- Investigators say they have recovered the "instruments" of death. I have heard that it was not a gun, but I did not see anything about the possibility of a knife. That also leaves the possibility of blunt force trauma. All the deaths are a tragedy, but the thought of the child's death just makes me shudder.

I'm hearing there is some sort of connection with Martel's death. Very unclear and still far from confirmed. How did she die? Is there some sort of known connection between her and Benoit?

I have not followed wrestling in a long while, so forgive my question if it is out of line. Has the recent deaths here been tied together with any possible connection? I know one of the side effects of streroid abuse can be depression. Have these deaths been suicides or unusual health incidents (heart attack at young age, etc.)?

Haven't heard about a connection with these two either,but you never know.They were only a few days apart.

[katt2005]

While not a big fan of WWE, it is sad that this has happened. RIP

[Wee67]

TMZ.com, the entertainment website that is usually pretty reliable, is saying his wife was strangled, the son was suffocated and Benoit hanged himself in a weightroom.

[Marvelmania]

Just heard the same news on CNN.

[The Toyroom]

According to the AP, from Fox News:

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.

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.

Authorities also declined to say whether drugs or steroids were found inside the house. "We're not releasing any information as far as what was located inside the house," sheriff's Sgt. Keith Whiteside said Tuesday.

Asked about the condition of the interior of the house, 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.

Whiteside said toxicology tests could take up to a week or longer to complete.

Neighbors said the Benoits led a low-key lifestyle.

"They were nice," said Lorre Jones, who lives across the street. Her daughter Alaina said: "We would see Chris walking in his yard from time to time. He wasn't rude, but he wasn't really outwardly warm."

Jimmy Baswell, who was Benoit's driver for more than five years, placed a white wreath at the Benoits' gate Tuesday.

"I saw him with his family all the time," said Baswell. "They always seemed like they were the happiest people."

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 it had been asked by authorities not to 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.

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," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. 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 newspaper said.

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.

Something must've made him snap beyond all reason...

[Hulk]

I would find it hard to believe that he wasn't on steroids, so this will likely be remembered as a Roid Rage story, no matter what the circumstances behind it.

[jwyblejr]

TMZ.com, the entertainment website that is usually pretty reliable, is saying his wife was strangled, the son was suffocated and Benoit hanged himself in a weightroom.

Yeah,that's the one where they said she killed the kid,Benoit killed her for it,then killed himself. It's sad no matter what the results are.

[Mikey]

If the guy really did kill his kid and wife-------- I have NO sympathy for HIM whatsoever ...... drugs or no drugs ....

If it's true, the guy is TRASH ....... and should be remembered as such....

[toys2cool]

wow I remember his wife back in the late 80's early 90's as a cute manager,this is so sad.I don't know what could drive someone to do this to his family or her if if she did it

[Hector]

If the guy really did kill his kid and wife-------- I have NO sympathy for HIM whatsoever ...... drugs or no drugs ....

If it's true, the guy is TRASH ....... and should be remembered as such....

Agreed. If it's true, may he rot in hell for eternity.

Wife and child rest in peace.