Official Discussion Thread - Chris Benoit and family found dead! R.I.P

[ClayMation]

I really cant believe in my heart that Benoit is a murderer...not until the autopsy reports come out. This is such a sad sad thing. Condolences to their extended families. RIP.

[mooky9669]

I am shocked as well about the latest murder suicide news. I pray to God that isn't the case. I would as many others would as well, like to know what the text message sad that Chris sent. No one is saying that the curious text message was. That adds to the bizarreness of the whole thing.

[LionDen]

Update: 26th Jun

The Associated Press released the following story this morning, covering much of the information that has been previously reported. Expect this to be the article that many local media outlets use in their stories on the Benoit tragedy.

Wrestler Benoit Found Dead With Family
Tuesday June 26, 8:54 am ET
By Debbie Newby, Associated Press Writer

Authorities Await Autopsies in Deaths of Wrestler Chris Benoit, Wife, 7-Year-Old Son

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) -- Pro wrestler Chris Benoit canceled a pay-per-view appearance at the "Vengeance" event in Houston because of "personal reasons" a day before he, his wife and their 7-year-old son were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide.

Details of the deaths "are going to prove a little bizarre" when released to the public, Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Autopsies were scheduled Tuesday by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in DeKalb County.

Authorities were investigating the deaths at a secluded Fayette County home as a murder-suicide and were not seeking any suspects.

Investigators believe Benoit, (pronounced ben-WAH) killed his wife and son over the weekend and then himself sometime Monday. The bodies were found Monday afternoon in three different rooms of the house on Green Meadow Lane, in a subdivision off a gravel road about two miles from the Whitewater Country Club.

Ballard told The Associated Press a gun was not used in any of the deaths. But he declined to say how the three died.

"We're pretty sure we know, but we want to confirm it with the crime lab," Ballard said early Tuesday.

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

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."

Sheriff's Lt. Tommy Pope told WSB-TV that the three were found about 2:30 p.m., but he wouldn't release other details.

Stamford, Conn.-based WWE also said on its Web site it had been asked by authorities not to release further information on the deaths of Benoit, 40; his wife, Nancy, 43; and son, Daniel.

Benoit was born in Montreal. He was a former world heavyweight champion, Intercontinental champion and held several tag-team titles over his career. He was known by several names including "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 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 an ongoing story line on World Championship Wrestling, the newspaper said.

Benoit has two other children from a prior relationship.

[me hate libs]

I can respect the man's talent in the ring, but killing your wife and your SEVEN YEAR-OLD son, that makes me despise the man personally. I could care less that he's dead now. Spares us the cost of a trial.

[XXKSXX]

Thanks for the update there Lion. Like I said before sometimes people go mad not much to say.

[Flair Country]

- CNN had a live report from just outside of the Benoit home earlier this morning. The investigator interviewed said they don't feel there is a "killer at large," but haven't ruled out that Benoit, wife Nancy, and son Daniel may have all been murdered. The investigation team will spend most of the day at the Benoit home finishing up their on going investigation. The investigator said they would know more in a few days.

- According to reports, Chris Benoit sent some curious text messages on Sunday to Chavo Guerrero. WWE's Vice President of Government Relations, Richard Hering, ended up calling the Fayette County sheriffs on Monday requesting they check the Benoit residence.

- WWE learned of the Benoit deaths at 4PM on Monday, and informed the wrestlers. They made the decision to cancel last night's live Raw program in favor of a tribute show.

- WWE will continue on with tonight's Smackdown and ECW tapings in San Antonio, TX. It appears WWE will go back to regular programming and will not focus on either Benoit or the Mr. McMahon "death" storyline.

Gerweck

[LionDen]

Ahhh, so Chavo got the message, no surprise there but I am curious as to know what it said. I am guessing it may be about him killing himself in a cryptic kind of way.

[XXKSXX]

Yeah this is leaning more in more to what has been reported.

[Kage]

Man I cant believe this. I thought it was a gas leak or an accident like that. The way everyone descibed him last night, he doesn't seem like a murderer. still have so many questions. All I know is that I'l miss him.

[Black Widow]

im surprised chavo didnt mention it sooner prolly could of helped him

[LionDen]

Update (Jun 26th):

Nothing new in the story so far but to say that the police have all but confirmed that Benoit did kill his wife and son on the weekend and then killed himself. More shall be said after the autopsy today but the toxicology results will take weeks to come back. So a full report will only be avilable then on this whole tragedy.

According to reports, Chris Benoit sent some curious text messages on Sunday to Chavo Guerrero. WWE's Vice President of Government Relations, Richard Hering, ended up calling the Fayette County sheriffs on Monday requesting they check the Benoit residence.

We posted the latest news article from Associated press and can be found below. That is what most news agencies will use for there stories at this time, including FOX news, CNN and so on. This story has reached global news agencies.

We at UOWForums thank you all for continuing to visit us and we will keep you up to date on the latest breaking news with this 24 hrs. We have also swapped it aorund so latest news is at the top now and a post will also be made with the news for your convenience. We did it this way so you can read how the events unfolded in this tragedy in one place.

[rocksolid124]

I hope I don't sound too evil or anything...but...

I'm not about to look up to or raise up a guy who murdered his family. Seriously, everyone is praising Benoit, saying this and that about him. Umm hello? HE KILLED HIS WIFE AND SON.

It's funny how people are just accepting of this point, and only looking at the wrestling aspect of things. For the last time, I emphasize that he committed a crime, and a horrible act of murder. MURDER.

Sorry, but I will give no respect to a piece of shit like this. I respected him before, but I refuse to do so now.

[.ultimate]

rest in peace, undertaker killed him

[LionDen]

Update (Jun 26th):

In light of the Benoit family tragedy, WWE's Shopzone merchandise website has pulled all merchandise related to Chris Benoit. Searches for Benoit's name in the website's search engine are returned "discontinued."

Benoit's name has been removed to the degree that the listing for the DVD of Wrestlemania XX now reads, "Triple H defends his World Heavyweight Championship against Shawn Michaels."

In a statement released by WWE yesterday, they have admitted knowing alot more details of the tragedy but were told not to release the information to the public by the police.

[Dark Drakan]

I was stunned when i heard this on the radio and still cant believe it... completely shocking to hear this happen to one of the worlds best and the whole murder suicide thing is really hard to take in as many people said he was a caring guy and loved his family... what would have driven him to this?

[LionDen]

Update (Jun 26th):

Just watched aa FOX news update and a policeman came on and said, "Benoit was found in weight room and mother and child were found in upstairs bedroom". They are also reporting various sources including TMZ.com that various police sources are saying that Benoit may have strangled his wife on Sat, smothered his son on Sunday and hanged himself on Monday.

[Silik]

CNN is also reporting that same thing on their website.

[alpac]

Cnn is reporting the following:

A law enforcement official close to the investigation tells The Associated Press that pro wrestler Chris Benoit strangled his wife and smothered his son before hanging himself in his weight room.

[LionDen]

Associated Press are reporting that the police have now confirmed that Chris Benoit strangled his wife on Saturday, smothered his son on Sunday and hanged himself on Monday.

Benoit was found in his weight room and his wife and son were found in upstairs bedrooms.

Investigators are also investigating whether steroid use was a factor.

More details as they become available.

LionDen


What will that say for the WWE if steroid use came out?

[LionDen]

Update (Jun 26th):

The Fayetteville police department are advising media outlets that a press conference in regard to the Benoit family tragedy and preliminary autospy results of Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy and their son Daniel is slated for this afternoon. One source expects the conference to take place at 3 PM, although it may be sooner.