We are still awaiting further details, but PWInsider.com is extremely saddened to report that former WWE and WCW World champion Chris Benoit and his wife, former WCW and ECW personality Nancy "Woman" Benoit were both found dead today in Atlanta, Georgia. Obviously this will be a huge developing story in the days to come but at this point, we'd like to express our deepest condolences to the Benoits' family, friends, and fans at this time.

A meeting is currently ongoing at WWE TV and it is expected that tonight's three hour Raw will now be dedicated to Benoit's memory.

6:09 Update: WWE.com issued the following statement this afternoon: "WWE is sad to report that Chris Benoit and his family have been found dead in their home. Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Tonight's Raw will be a tribute to Chris and his family."

I am praying to god that this is not a damn storyline they are trying to do. Everyone within the company felt like it was a bad idea to do a Vince McMahon "death" angle 3 weeks ago. A few days later, legendary female wrestler and WWE Hall of Famer Sheri Martel died. Yet they continued the angle. This week's 3 hour RAW was do be in "memorial" for Vince, however with the passing of Benoit and family, they are not supposed to be doing a tribute to him.

Everyone within the company (i.e. those with damn sense) did not want to continue the angle after the passing of Martel, but if they were to continue it now, it would be in EXTREMELY poor taste. People wondered what would happen if Vince really died during this story, well now something has really happened to his top wrestler. The entire company should be ashamed of themselves for mocking such a real life tragedy when they did. Now something horrible has really happened.

I've been reading more updates on the Television Without Pity forum for WWE. Here's the latest...

Another update on Benoit murder/suicide

by Dave Meltzer

Sources in the Fayette County Police Department are now working under the theory that Chris Benoit killed Nancy on Saturday, son Daniel on Sunday, and then killed himself earlier today.

Benoit was found dead in his weight room. Nancy was found dead in the living room. Daniel was found dead in his bedroom, according to an unnamed source in the department.

Lt. Tommy Pope told ABC News "the instruments of death were located on the scene," but didn't specify what those were or where they were found. Pope said the department was not actively searching for any suspects outside the house.

Several curious text messages sent by Benoit early Sunday morning prompted concerned friends to alert Richard Hering, VP of Government Relations for WWE, Inc. Hering, in turn, spoke with Fayette County sheriffs Monday, and requested that they respond to the Benoit residence to check on him and his family.

WWE.com has further information relating to both the investigation and the cause of death, but the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department has requested that WWE.com not release any additional details at this time.

LATEST FROM DAVE MELTZER

WWE will go on with regular programming tomorrow in San Antonio, with Raw & ECW tapings not based on either a tribute to Chris Benoit or continuing the Vince McMahon angle.

The poster who provided the last update also said that testimonials from the wrestlers about Benoit were removed from the website. I truly am in complete shock. Everyone is saying they suspected this when they heard the news, but I didn't. I just assumed since he's such a huge star that this was a home invasion or an accident.

I feel so bad for the WWE talent having to put on a regular show so soon after this tragedy. I don't know how they're going to make it through. My thoughts are definitely with them.

Moving away from this particular story, just a few weeks ago a mother hanged herself and her four children and just last week a man shot his wife and two kids to death. Of course we all know the tragic Jessie Davis story which saw Bobby Cutts killing the pregnant mother of his children.

Why do these things keep happening? I tune into the news too often and see a story like this. It's very worrying. The WWE angle is very shocking, but I hope someone in power examines what seems like an epidemic to me.

Thank Chris for the updates. My heart and my mind are just so at odds right now. I've always loved Benoit. It was just last week, I was telling Ryan how he was going to be wasted on ECW. I was so quick to think she did something--not the other way around. Assuming all of this is true,I don't know if I can fully venerate a man who not only killed his wife but small son. If you're going to kill yourself, don't take anyone else with you. I'm sorry if that offends others, but

this is surreal. I hope all of this turns out to be a big mistake.

Edited June 26, 200718 yr by Q Steph

Wrestling star Chris Benoit, his wife, Nancy, and their 7-year-old son, Daniel, were found dead in their suburban Atlanta home Monday. The deaths are being investigated as a possible suicide and double homicide, authorities told ABC News.

Lt. Tommy Pope of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department told ABC News that Benoit had missed several appointments over the weekend, and friends say they received what they called "curious" text messages from Benoit.

Concerned parties to ask police to do a "welfare check." When sheriffs arrived at the Benoits' home, they found the wrestler, his wife and their son dead.

There were no signs of gunshot wounds or stabbing, according to Pope. Authorities are not ruling out other causes, such as poisoning, suffocation or strangulation. Pope told ABC News that his department is looking at this situation as a "possible double murder, suicide."

Pope said "the instruments of death were located on scene," but he would not specify what those instruments are or where in the house the bodies were found. Pope added the department is "not actively searching for any suspects outside of the house."

An autopsy has been scheduled for Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. However, it could be weeks before there is a result.

Benoit, 40, was scheduled to spar against C.M. Punk in a pay-per-view event Sunday night in Houston for the Extreme Champion Wrestling title. But Benoit canceled before the event, citing personal reasons.

'Canadian Crippler' Remembered by Fans

A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Benoit was known in the ring as the "Canadian Crippler."

Following the announcement of the deaths, World Wrestling Entertainment issued a statement: "Chris was beloved among his fellow superstars, and was a favorite among WWE fans for his unbelievable athleticism and wrestling ability. He always took great pride in his performance, and always showed respect for the business he loved, for his peers and toward his fans. This is a terrible tragedy and an unbearable loss. WWE extends its sincere condolences and prayers to the Benoit family and loved ones in this time of tragedy."

"My relationship with Chris has extended many years and I consider him a great friend," Carl DeMarco, the president of WWE Canada, said in a statement. "Chris was always first-class warm, friendly, caring and professional one of the best in our business."

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=3315501&page=1

You know, I was just thinking the same thing, but I might just be a little harder with it. How can I feel bad for a man who killed his wife and son? This is what I heard happened. Nancy was going to leave Chris, due to their problems and she was going to take Daniel with her, and I guess Chris didn't want it to happen. I watched the tape again of him on ECW last week, and this may just be me, but I looked in his eyes on the tape, and the way he looked at the audience. He knew what he was going to do, I believe. No one knows what happened, Chris is dead, as is Nancy and Daniel but it was reported that Chris sent out text messages that were strange. I guess he was just unhappy. It also doesnt help that he was constantly being put down by Michael Hayes, who kept telling him that he just didn't have it anymore. Who knows? Whatever the reason, I hate to see 1 person lose their life, unnessacarily, and I REALLY hate to see 3.

Whatever the reason, I hate to see 1 person lose their life, unnessacarily, and I REALLY hate to see 3.

ICAM. Unfortunately, I know a family who have been through the murder/suicide it was awful for those left to deal with it.

I think it's selfish, especially to take his son, and not to mention the child/children he left behind.

Edited June 26, 200718 yr by kelli_blue

Update

Tonight's WWE Smackdown taping and ECW broadcast will take place at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas as planned, according to the building.

As reported previously, WWE will be holding a make-up show in the future for last night's canceled Corpus Christi event at the American Bank Center.

At this point, the Mr. McMahon storyline has been completely dropped.

The tragic story continues to get picked up by more media outlets. District Attorney Scott Ballard is quoted in many of the articles as saying that authorities are confident that Benoit killed his wife Nancy and son Daniel before killing himself. A cause of death has yet to be announced, other than authorities stating gunshots were not involved, but they have made clear that the Benoits were not killed by another person. Obviously, a final cause of death will not be revealed until the investigation, including toxicology and autopsy reports, are completed.

You know, I was just thinking the same thing, but I might just be a little harder with it. How can I feel bad for a man who killed his wife and son? This is what I heard happened. Nancy was going to leave Chris, due to their problems and she was going to take Daniel with her, and I guess Chris didn't want it to happen. I watched the tape again of him on ECW last week, and this may just be me, but I looked in his eyes on the tape, and the way he looked at the audience. He knew what he was going to do, I believe. No one knows what happened, Chris is dead, as is Nancy and Daniel but it was reported that Chris sent out text messages that were strange. I guess he was just unhappy. It also doesnt help that he was constantly being put down by Michael Hayes, who kept telling him that he just didn't have it anymore. Who knows? Whatever the reason, I hate to see 1 person lose their life, unnessacarily, and I REALLY hate to see 3.

That's a heartbreaker. I didn't know about any of those factors. None of which absolve murder but he was under a lot of stress apparently.

They aired his last ECW match last niht, but I didn't pay much attention to it. My mind was sill reeling. I'll look at it again to gauge for his reaction. If he did plan all of this, that's so sick. IF.

It's ironic. The person you marry is often the one that will send you into an early grave. But that poor boy was an innocent casualty. Why can't people just walk away? This is why I'm not in a relationship. I can't let someone have that kind of power over me.

My heart goes out to his other kids and the entire family.

I can't believe this is how it all ended. Sad.

I found this. It confirms my initial beliefs that Nancy did something and perhaps makes sense of this tragedy. I don't know anymore. It's sad all around.

"My second cousin is an officer with GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigations) and what he's heard in his circle is that Chirs Benoit's wife killed their son Daniel, called Chris and told him to rush home because of an emergency which is why he missed last Sunday's Vengeance PPV. Upon arriving home Benoit killed his wife in a rage for the death of his son and then killed himself Monday morning. His wife's body was found in the master bedroom, strangled with the cord from an alarm clock. The son's body was found in his room appearantly suffocated with a garbage bag. Chris then wrote a suicide note explaining what had happened, apologized to his family, his other children (from a seperate relationship), and his fans. He then fashioned a slip-knot noose from rope taken from the garage and hung himself from the ballaster in the foyer of his suburban Atlanta home."

http://forums.rajah.com/showthread.php?t=128284&page=46

Well, I heard Chris was found in his weightroom, and that is according to the police. I dont want to shut this down, because it may be true, but you cant believe what any old person post, especially at a time like this. Also, the cops cant know what happened because Chris and his wife and son were dead. Chris Benoit apparently sent out weird Text messages after he called WWE and said that he couldnt show.

Edited June 26, 200718 yr by Jay

Well, I heard Chris was found in his weightroom, and that is according to the police. I dont want to shut this down, because it may be true, but you cant believe what any old person post, especially at a time like this. Also, the cops cant know what happened because Chris and his wife and son were dead. Chris Benoit apparently sent out weird Text messages after he called WWE and said that he couldnt show.

Yeah, you're right. I'm just holding onto that last shred of denial.

My mind and heart are just at war right now. But anyone's capable of anything.

World Wrestling Entertainment star Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy and their 7-year-old son Daniel were found dead inside the family's secluded Fayetteville, Georgia, home on Monday, say authorities investigating the case.

"We are currently treating this as a double homicide-suicide," Fayette County Sheriff's Department's Lt. Tommy Pope, told PEOPLE. "We feel confident that everything is contained within the home."

Benoit (pronounced: ben-WAH), 40, a native of Canada, was a former world heavyweight champion, Intercontinental champion and held several tag-team titles during his career. He had two other children from a previous relationship, according to the Associated Press.

Married to Benoit since 1985, Nancy Benoit (formerly Nancy Daus), 43, managed several wrestlers and used the stage name "Woman," according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Speaking to the paper, Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard said of the case, "The details, when they come out, are going to prove a little bizarre." Ballard, while declining to say how the fatalities occurred, also told the AP that no gun was used in the deaths.

Autopsy results are due Tuesday, according to a spokesman for the Sheriff's Department.

On Saturday, after informing WWE officials of "a family emergency," Benoit was conspicuous by his absence from that night's live event in Beaumont, Texas – and again at WWE's Vengeance: Night of Champions in Houston 24 hours later.

Friends who received curious text messages from the entertainer on Sunday morning contacted the wrestling organization, which in turn asked the Sheriff's office to run a welfare check on the family at their home on the south side of the Atlanta metro area.

After learning of what occurred, the WWE canceled its live Monday Night RAW, and USA Network aired a three-hour tribute to Benoit in place of the scheduled wrestling telecast.

"WWE extends its sincerest thoughts and prayers to the Benoit family's relatives and loved ones in this time of tragedy," the federation posted in a statement on its Web site.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20043775,00.html

TMZ has learned more about the deaths of WWE wrestling superstar Chris Benoit, his wife and son -- and the information is extremely disturbing.

Several Atlanta-based law enforcement sources have told TMZ Benoit may have strangled his wife on Saturday, then smothered his son in his bed a day later. Investigators refuse to officially comment, pending final confirmation on the cause and time of the deaths by the coroner.

One source told TMZ that Benoit was texting friends during Sunday's WWE "Vengeance" Pay-Per-View program- possibly watching the show with his son, who may have been alive at the time.

According to sources, Benoit then hanged himself Monday in a weight room inside the family home.

A police investigation is ongoing.

However this happened and why we will probably really never know. This is a tragedy regardless. An innocent child lost his life way to soon at the hands of someone he trusted, be it his mother or father. My heart is breaking for the entire Benoit family.

It doesn't really matter who did it, Chris, Nancy and their 7 year old Daniel are dead. Can we please have some respect for them and Chris' fans and not speculate on who did it, who's to blame for this. It's a tragedy that three people are dead, there is no need for speculations on the reason why - we may never know the reason why.

Yes, I am aware that 3 people are dead, I've been reading about it, and I saw it on the news, several times. This is truly a tradegy. We are not speculating, we are responding to what the news sources, be it the internet, or the news are telling us. I am a huge fan of Chris and I have grown to care about this man, for years, going back to the early nineties. The facts remain, Chris could have been a wife and child killer, and I do not want to believe this about a man who I have grown to care about because it would change my opinion of it. You can call it speculation all you want, but I call it getting my facts straight in regards to a man who I have idolized.