Police: Canadian Pro Wrestler Benoit Found Dead in Suburban Atlanta Home

Jun 26, 04:05 AM

Current Headlines: FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (CP) - WWE wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife, and son were found dead Monday and police said they were investigating the deaths as a murder-suicide.

Detective Bo Turner told television station WAGA that the case was being treated as a murder-suicide, but said that couldn't be confirmed until evidence was examined by a crime lab.

The station said that investigators believe the 40-year-old Benoit killed his wife, Nancy, and seven-year-old son, Daniel, over the weekend, then himself on Monday. A neighbour called police, and the bodies were found in three rooms.

World Wrestling Entertainment said on its website 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."

Lead investigator Lt. Tommy Pope, of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department, told The Associated Press the deaths were being investigated as homicide, and that the causes of death awaited autopsy results on Tuesday. Pope said the bodies were discovered about 2:30 p.m., but refused to release details.

The house is in a secluded neighbourhood set back about 60 metres off a gravel road, surrounded by stacked stone wall and a double-iron gate. On Monday night, the house was dark except for a few outside lights. There was a police car in front, along with two uniformed officers.

The WWE cancelled its live "Raw" wrestling card Monday night in Corpus Christi, Texas. Canadian television network The Score aired a three-hour tribute to Benoit in place of the scheduled telecast.

The tribute began with WWE chairman Vince McMahon standing in the middle of an empty ring, eyes welling up with tears and voice cracking as he broke the news of Benoit's death.

"We at the WWE can only offer our condolences to the extended family of Chris Benoit," said McMahon. "The only other thing we can do at this moment is pay tribute to Chris Benoit."

Benoit was born in Montreal and also lived in Edmonton. He began his career in 1985 after training with Stu Hart and family in Calgary. He competed for Hart's Stampede Wrestling promotion and later wrestled in Japan and for the National Wrestling Alliance, WCW and Extreme Championship Wrestling. He joined WWE in 2000.

"I am deeply saddened over the loss of Chris Benoit," WWE Canada president Carl DeMarco said on the WWE website. "My heartfelt thoughts and sympathy go out to his parents and family. My relationship with Chris has extended many years and I consider him a great friend. Chris was always first-class - warm, friendly, caring and professional . . . one of the best in our business."

Benoit maintained a home in the Atlanta area from the time he wrestled for the defunct World Championship Wrestling. He was scheduled to wrestle at the Vengeance pay-per-view Sunday night in Houston, but was replaced at the last minute because of what WWE called a "family emergency."

Benoit, a five-foot-11, 220-pounder, was often described as a rabid wolverine in the ring. "The Canadian Crippler" had a chiselled physique and was known for his superior technical skills. The "Crippler Crossface" was one of his signature moves, along with a flying headbutt from the top rope and triple German suplex.

Fellow wrestlers admired Benoit's hard-nosed attitude.

"Chris was the type of guy you'd want to go to war with," said WWE champion John Cena. "He was a good man, he truly lived for the business. He did everything for it."

Benoit held several titles over his career but realized his dream at Wrestlemania 20 in 2004, defeating Shawn Michaels and champion Triple H in a triple threat match at Madison Square Garden to win the WWE world heavyweight championship for the first time.

"Chris Benoit was not only one of the greatest wrestlers I ever saw, he was one of the best friends I ever had in this business," WWE announcer Jim Ross said during Monday's tribute. "Many of us had the privilege and honour of celebrating Chris's greatest moments."

Orangeville, Ont., wrestler Adam Copeland, better known as Edge, said he enjoyed matches with Benoit the most.

"Anytime we got in there, it was like two Canadians fighting for the last beer," said Edge, who broke down several times during his videotaped message.

"I love that guy. I'm gonna miss him."