Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide

Chris Benoit Double Murder-Suicide
Location	Fayetteville, Georgia, United States
Date	June 23, 2007 - June 25, 2007 (Eastern Time Zone)
Attack type	murder-suicide
Deaths	3 (including the perpetrator)
Perpetrator	Chris Benoit

On June 25 2007, professional wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their seven-year-old son Daniel were found dead in their Fayetteville, Georgia, home at around 2:30 p.m. EDT. Police entered Benoit's home on a "welfare check" after several missed shows (including the Vengeance pay-per-view event) and found three bodies. The Fayette County, Georgia Sheriff's Department closed their investigation on February 12 2008, having reached the conclusion that Benoit, over a three-day period, murdered his wife and son, then committed suicide.

Murder and suicide

Nancy Benoit

Main article: Nancy Benoit

On Friday, June 22, Benoit killed his wife. She was found in an upstairs family room with her limbs bound and her body wrapped in a towel. A Bible was left by her body. She had bruises on her back and stomach consistent with someone pressing a knee into the back while pulling on a cord around the neck, causing strangulation. Blood was also found under her head, suggesting she may have tried to fend off Benoit.

Between the two killings

At about 3:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, June 23, a co-worker (later confirmed to be Chavo Guerrero) received a voice message from Benoit's phone stating that 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, Guerrero called Benoit back and Benoit sounded tired and groggy as he confirmed everything that he had said in his voice message. Guerrero, "concerned about Benoit's tone and demeanor," called him back twelve minutes later. Benoit did not answer the call and Guerrero left a message stating, "just call me back". At 3:44 p.m. EDT, Benoit called Guerrero back, stating that he did not answer the call because he was on the phone with Delta Air Lines changing his flight. "Benoit stated that 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."

It is also known that during this time, Benoit called and left a voice mail for an unknown friend. 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.

Daniel Benoit

Daniel was suffocated and killed by his father in his own bedroom. A Bible was left by the boy's body. District Attorney Scott Ballard said, "the boy had internal injuries to the throat area, but showed no bruises", indicating that he may have been locked in the crook of Benoit's arm. Daniel's exact time of death is unknown. It was also revealed that Daniel Benoit had Fragile X Syndrome which is a form of autism, which in other families has caused problems in relationships which have been reported by doctors, and this could have been the case for Benoit family. 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. District Attorney Ballard, however, 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. The reports also determine that Daniel was sedated with Xanax when he was killed. A large knife was also found underneath Daniel's bed, but was unused in either of the murders.

Chris Benoit

Main article: Chris Benoit

The perpetrator, Chris Benoit, according to District Attorney Ballard, died of suicide by hanging. Benoit apparently used a cord, normally part of the weight machine, to hang himself by creating a noose from the end of the weight cord. When Benoit released the weights - approximately 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 was hanging from a pulley.

Possible motives

WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt appeared on MSNBC Live with Dan Abrams on July 17 2007 and 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." Tests were conducted on 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." Tests conducted on Benoit's brain tissue have revealed he did in fact suffer from severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and had brain damage in all four lobes of the brain and brain stem. These tests revealed similar results to the study of 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. A statement released by WWE dismissed this idea as "speculative."

Nancy Benoit 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. In February 2008, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) reported that Nancy may have suspected her husband of having an affair with a WWE Diva, and that they may have also argued over a life insurance policy. The AJC claimed the source was a recently released report from the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.

Discovery of the bodies

On Monday, June 25, WWE was notified of the text messages sent to Chavo Guerrero and Scott Armstrong. The company asked the Fayette County Sheriff's Department to check on the Benoit family. After discovering the bodies, the police notified WWE around 4:00 p.m., informing them that they had discovered three bodies at the Benoit home and the house was now ruled as a "major crime scene".

Responses

World Wrestling Entertainment

The event was first reported to fans of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on their WWE Mobile Alerts Service and posted to their official website soon after. On their website, the company 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.

WWE canceled the scheduled three-hour-long live RAW show on June 25 (which was supposed to be a scripted memorial of the Mr. McMahon character, who was presumed dead in a limo explosion on the June 11 episode of RAW), and replaced the broadcast version with a tribute to his life and career, featuring past matches, segments from the Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story DVD, and comments from wrestlers and announcers. Shortly after the program aired, many of the aired comments were posted on WWE.com. It was not 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. 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 on Sci-fi broadcast:

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. 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.

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, 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) followed suit in regards to all Benoit-related merchandise. Benoit merchandise, however, including action figures, is still available at retail stores. Although on other products such as wrestling figures on the back of the packaging figures of Benoit are advertised although WWE have started putting stickers over these. WWE also has decided to edit out all matches that contained Benoit from rebroadcasts of matches from their extensive video library.

• Since the incident, no matches involving Benoit have been on any new DVD releases by WWE, with the exception of the Royal Rumble Anthology Vol. III and IV DVDs that were reissued in January 2008, and the SummerSlam Anthology Boxset Vol. III & IV, released in August 2008, over a year after his death.

• Benoit, along with his finisher the Crippler Crossface, his version of the diving headbutt, and other signature moves, was also removed from the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 video game after originally being included as a playable wrestler.

• On a recent rebroadcast of the 2007 Vengeance: Night of Champions pay-per-view on WWE On Demand, all mention of Benoit was removed from the show and specifically the intro of Johnny Nitro.

• In late 2007, WWE released a 3-DVD set entitled The Legacy of Stone Cold Steve Austin which chronicled Austin's greatest matches. One of these matches was against Triple H at Survivor Series 2000. Originally in this match, Triple H led Austin to the backstage area where he was assaulted by Benoit and the other members of The Radicalz. Triple H can be seen arguing with Benoit in the parking lot and asking where Austin was. On the DVD, these scenes were edited out, Triple H and Austin are seen fighting backstage, at which point there are two quick cuts eventually revealing Triple H outside in the parking lot in a car, waiting for Austin.

Professional wrestling industry

Numerous individuals in professional wrestling, past and present, commented on the deaths and their aftermath:

• Semi-retired professional wrestler Hulk Hogan commented solely on the personalities of Benoit and his thoughts on the crime, saying "He was peaceful and kept to himself" and "I think it had to be something personal, a domestic problem between him and his wife."

• Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) employee and former WWF/E co-worker Kurt Angle. Angle chose to comment more on the frenzy created by the crime, stating "This is not WWE’s fault and this is not Vince McMahon’s fault. Chris Benoit was responsible for his own actions."

• Eric Bischoff, on his website, also commented on the media frenzy, saying "It's clear that the media wants to blame steroids, professional wrestling, Vince McMahon, or anyone or anything else that further sensationalizes this family tragedy. I refuse to join the choir. I don't have enough information. I wasn't there. I am not a psychiatrist. I just can't imagine how or why this could have happened."

• Other wrestlers have also commented, including Lex Luger, Marc Mero, Ted DiBiase, Sr., Lance Storm, Chyna, Steve Blackman, The Ultimate Warrior, Chris Jericho, and William Regal. McMahon and wife Linda (WWE CEO) were interviewed (separate and jointly) by various news outlets (see below).
• Adam Copeland (Edge) and Chavo Guerrero, Jr. openly spoke about how Benoit's death affected them. Copeland said Benoit was one of the three people he was close to in the WWE and Guerrero said Benoit was a very private person yet a close friend to the Guerrero family.

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 sixty 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 Hall of Fame.

Media

When the news was released about Benoit's death, most mainstream news outlets covered the story, including MSNBC and Fox News. Benoit made the cover of People magazine. ECW Press announced on July 16 that noted wrestling writer Irvin Muchnick had written a book on the Benoit case, due out in 2008. 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 Flavor Flav", which drew a shocked and appalled response from the crowd.

Government

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.

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. WWE released a press-statement, challenging the "roid-rage" claims. 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.

Prosecutors in New York have been investigating the deliveries Benoit received from Signature Pharmacy and MedXLife.com, which sold steroids and human growth hormone (HGH) 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. 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 (Rey Mysterio, Jr.), Randy Orton, Adam Copeland (Edge) and Gregory Helms, with both Copeland and Helms receiving a high amount of steroids.

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. 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". Investigators seized both Chris and Nancy's medical records. They also have medical records of Mark Jindrak, Hardcore Holly (Robert Howard), Lex Luger (Lawrence Pfohl), Rey Mysterio, Jr., Buff Bagwell (Marcus Bagwell), and Johnny Grunge (Mike Durham), all of whom were patients of Dr. Phil Astin. The toxicology report on Chris Benoit's body was released Tuesday, July 17 2007 at 2:30 p.m. EDT.

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.

Xanax was found in Daniel Benoit's system. Distirct Attorney 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. The GBI, however, 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.

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. Benoit also tested negative for blood alcohol.

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. Astin have asked a judge to throw out evidence seized during a raid on Astin's office after the death of 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 Observer, a newsletter dedicated to professional wrestling. According to the Associated Press on February 4, 2008, Dr. Astin is currently charged with overprescribing medication in a case not connected to Benoit.

Wikipedia controversy

A statement regarding Nancy Benoit's death was added to the Chris Benoit English Wikipedia article fourteen 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, 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. 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."

Police detectives "seized computer equipment from the [man held] responsible for the postings" and have called the confession an unbelievable "hindrance" to their investigation, but believed he was otherwise uninvolved, declining to press charges. The man had found several rumours on-line which confirmed his theory about the Benoit "family emergency" as reported in wrestling news; the IP from which he made the edit in question has been tentatively traced to vandalizing the Wikipedia entries for Ron Artest, Stacy Keibler, as well as vandalizing the Wikipedia entry for Naugatuck, Connecticut.

External links

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