Update:

From WWE.com ----

WWE® Shocked At Latest Developments In Benoit Tragedy, Concerned By Sensationalistic Reporting

Written: June 26, 2007

STAMFORD, Conn., June 26, 2007 – World Wrestling Entertainment is stunned and saddened by the details released by local authorities concerning the double homicide-suicide involving Chris Benoit, his wife, Nancy, and his son, Daniel.

However, WWE is concerned with the sensationalistic reporting and speculation being undertaken by some members of the media following the press conference held by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney. During the press conference, the investigating authorities made the following points, all of which run contrary to the media speculation that "roid rage" was a factor in the senseless murders and suicide:

1. The authorities stated that all drugs found in the house were believed to be legal prescriptions.

2. Steroids were not, and could not, be related to the cause of death (asphyxiation). Authorities had no factual basis to speculate as to Benoit’s state of mind, and rightly did not do so.

3. Toxicology tests have not even been completed, so there is no current evidence that Benoit even had steroids or any other substance in his body. In that regard, on the last test done on Benoit by WWE's independently administered drug testing program, done on April 10, 2007, Benoit tested negative.

4. 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.

5. WWE strongly suggests that it is entirely wrong for speculators to suggest that steroids had anything to do with these senseless acts, especially when the authorities plainly stated there is no evidence that Benoit had steroids in his body, pending the toxicological reports, and that they had no evidence at this time as to the motive for these acts.

WWE is continuing to monitor the ongoing investigation being conducted by local authorities.

I've found myself greatly affected by this tragedy, more so than I ever thought I could. I spent the better half of today just trying to put the entire situation into a perspective I could comprehend, though I found the task impossible. I don't think anyone can understand how another's mind works. Today at work I found myself struggling to endure the talk of my coworkers who heard of the tragedy on the news. I almost felt angry that they talking about him as though he were another one of the monsters that are so regularly featured on the news today. They didn't know Chris Benoit like I did. They didn't spend years watching this man like I had, following his career, being a fan. But then I realized, I knew just as much about Chris Benoit as they did. Just like everyone else in the business, Chris Benoit led two lives. His professional and his personal. The man we all knew, admired, and loved to watch perform was Chris Benoit, professional wrestler. None of us ever knew Chris Benoit, the human being. Anyone can speculate about the circumstances of Benoit's private life, though none of us will ever really know how this tragedy came to be. As there are two sides to every story, there are two sides to every man. I'll choose to remember Chris Benoit, The Professional Wrestler, the man with a list of accomplishments that should undoubtedly be honored and the man I spent years as a fan of; and not Chris Benoit, The Human Being, the man I never knew.

Beautiful post Joe. I go to another baord where WWE fans were going through the same thing you were only it was happening with members on that post and I hope you dont mind but I took your post there because its exactly what the WWE fans on that board were trying to say.

Beautiful post Joe. I go to another baord where WWE fans were going through the same thing you were only it was happening with members on that post and I hope you dont mind but I took your post there because its exactly what the WWE fans on that board were trying to say.

I don't mind at all, thanks.

There are some reports that needlemarks were found on Daniel, indicating he had been injected with steroids.

This story continues to become more bizarre. And sad.

Benoit may have been living a double life. Or he could have simply been a maniac who hid his trangressions well. The truth may die with him, but I've lost all personal respect for the man. An act of rage, I can understand. I wouldn't agree or condone but I could entertain the reasoning. But from all preliminary reports, the man did not simply have a break from reality and acted with a hysterical thought process. He deliberately plotted the deaths of his family. I've tried, but I can't bring myself to reconcile or compartmentalize his actions. I held onto a faint hope; that he's somehow being set up by a serial killer or ex, but the monster was and is him.

There's a special place in hell for him, Bobby Cutts, Scott Peterson and the other cowards who cruelly take the lives of women and children for no reason; as if one exists.

Edited June 26, 200718 yr by Q Steph

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon will apologize for the three-hour USA Network tribute to pro wrestler Chris Benoit that aired Monday night, sources said.

The WWE and USA Network have received complaints about the tribute, which was hastily produced after Mr. Benoit, his wife and their son were found dead in their Georgia home Monday afternoon.

Authorities said Tuesday that Mr. Benoit strangled his wife and suffocated his son, then took his own life. But WWE and network officials were unaware of the circumstances of Mr. Benoit’s death when the tribute was assembled, sources said.

The WWE canceled its regularly scheduled “Monday Night RAW” event on USA Network Monday night and aired the tribute in its place.

Mr. McMahon will address wrestling fans tonight on Sci Fi Channel’s live Extreme Championship Wrestling event. He also plans to address speculation that Mr. Benoit’s actions were the result of steroid use.

The WWE plans to resume its regular wrestling telecasts, which air on USA Network, Sci Fi Channel and the CW.

http://tvweek.com/news/2007/06/mcmahon_to_...e_for_benoi.php

Even more shocking is that Benoit's son, Daniel, was apparently found with needle marks in his arm. According to Ballard, the boy was being given Human Growth Hormones because the family thought he was undersized.

Apparently, from ESPN.com.

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon will apologize for the three-hour USA Network tribute to pro wrestler Chris Benoit that aired Monday night, sources said.

The WWE and USA Network have received complaints about the tribute, which was hastily produced after Mr. Benoit, his wife and their son were found dead in their Georgia home Monday afternoon.

Authorities said Tuesday that Mr. Benoit strangled his wife and suffocated his son, then took his own life. But WWE and network officials were unaware of the circumstances of Mr. Benoit’s death when the tribute was assembled, sources said.

The WWE canceled its regularly scheduled “Monday Night RAW” event on USA Network Monday night and aired the tribute in its place.

Mr. McMahon will address wrestling fans tonight on Sci Fi Channel’s live Extreme Championship Wrestling event. He also plans to address speculation that Mr. Benoit’s actions were the result of steroid use.

The WWE plans to resume its regular wrestling telecasts, which air on USA Network, Sci Fi Channel and the CW.

http://tvweek.com/news/2007/06/mcmahon_to_...e_for_benoi.php

I think this is wrong. I get what Benoit did. It's sick. But that doesn't change what he did in the ring for years. It doesn't change all the times I cheered for him on Raw. It doesn't change all the times I boo'd him on Smackdown. It doesn't change the fact that the Crippler Chris Benoit was arguably one of the best wrestlers of his time. I can mourn the loss of the man I grew up watching and still hate the man who he really was. It's two different things. And I think to apologize for honoring the man he was in the ring, isn't right.

I've never seen wrestling the same since Owen Hart's death. I had that pay-per-view. My innocence died a little that day. And the wrestling as I knew and loved it, went with Owen. I will never forget that, never. The more thing like this happen in the WWE the more I feel less and less like this is something that should continue.

Edited June 27, 200718 yr by Kylie

being given growth hormone for being undersized is not unheard of. Doctors will do it to children.

As for the speculation, I'm sorry - but it's warranted. Stuff is not making sense. The wife died on friday, Benoit was in Texas and flew back to the home on saturday from what reports are saying. And now they're saying the son was killed on saturday. So ... he killed the wife friday and then flew to TX in the morning, left the son home alone for a day and he said nothing about his mom being dead to anyone, flew back, killed the son then himself?

I think this is wrong. I get what Benoit did. It's sick. But that doesn't change what he did in the ring for years. It doesn't change all the times I cheered for him on Raw. It doesn't change all the times I boo'd him on Smackdown. It doesn't change the fact that the Crippler Chris Benoit was arguably one of the best wrestlers of his time. I can mourn the loss of the man I grew up watching and still hate the man who he really was. It's two different things. And I think to apologize for honoring the man he was in the ring, isn't right.

Agree.

Mr. McMahon will address wrestling fans tonight on Sci Fi Channel’s live Extreme Championship Wrestling event. He also plans to address speculation that Mr. Benoit’s actions were the result of steroid use.

Vince seemed to dismiss the steriod use quick... if Benoit did use, and they knew (and they are hiding it)... couldn't they be held for some of the concidences of Benoit's actions? I'm not trying to place the blame else where, just find Vince's quickeness to this reveal to be a bit annoying on his behalf.

being given growth hormone for being undersized is not unheard of. Doctors will do it to children.

As for the speculation, I'm sorry - but it's warranted. Stuff is not making sense. The wife died on friday, Benoit was in Texas and flew back to the home on saturday from what reports are saying. And now they're saying the son was killed on saturday. So ... he killed the wife friday and then flew to TX in the morning, left the son home alone for a day and he said nothing about his mom being dead to anyone, flew back, killed the son then himself?

I just heard on ABC news that his wife had bruises on her back as if she had been kicked there. And even worse, he put his own son in a chokehold! They also said the boy had posters of Benoit all over his room and that they considered him a dwarf.

NBC News said he called his co-workers, lied that his fmaily had food posioning and coughed up blood. Then that he was tired before texting his address.

I'm with Vince. If I knew Benoit was a killer on monday, I wouldn't have bothered wasting three hours of my life on a savage killer.

All the major networks are speculating steroid use which is why I think Vince is going on the defensive.

Edited June 27, 200718 yr by Q Steph

It keeps getting more bizarre with every detail ...

Chris Benoit sent a series of text messages to WWE co-workers, some from his dead wife's cell phone. According to WWE.com, all five text messages were sent between 3:53 AM and 3:58 AM on June 24. He then committed suicide.

The messages revealed that Benoit distributed information on where to find his remains, and the enclosed location of his attack dogs.

Below are the times and content of text messages Benoit sent to co-workers, as first reported by WWE:

3:53 AM - Chris Benoit's cell phone: "My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane, Fayeteville Georgia. 30215"

3:53 AM - Chris Benoit's cell phone: "The dogs are in the enclosed pool area. Garage side door is open."

3:54 AM - Nancy Benoit's cell phone: "My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayeteville Georgia. 30215"

3:55 AM - Nancy Benoit's cell phone: "My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane, Fayeteville Georgia. 30215"

5:58 AM - Nancy Benoit's cell phone: "My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane, Fayeteville Georgia. 30215"

---

After authorities revealed the grisly details of Chris Benoit's final days, the WWE is changing their tune. In a televised statement, aired just moments ago on Sci Fi Channel's ECW, Vince McMahon made it clear -- they will no longer honor the memory of the murdering wrestler:

"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 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."

Below is a detailed WWE/Chris Benoit timeline from Saturday to Monday:

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Chris Benoit was scheduled to appear at the WWE SmackDown/ ECW live event in Beaumont, Texas

3:30pm

A co-worker received a voice message from Benoit. The message from Benoit stated he missed his flight and over slept and would be late to the WWE Live Event. The co-worker called Benoit back, Benoit confirmed everything he said in his voice message and sounded tired and groggy. Benoit then stated, “I love you”. The co-worker stated that it was “out of context.”

3:42pm

The same co-worker was concerned with Benoit’s tone and demeanor and called Benoit for a second time. Benoit did not answer the call and the co-worker left a message stating “just call me back.”

3:44pm

Benoit called the co-worker back stating he didn’t answer the call because he was on the phone with Delta changing his flight. Benoit stated he had a real stressful day due to Nancy and Daniel being sick with food poisoning. They discussed travel plans for the WWE Tour of Texas with Benoit still sounding groggy at this point according to the co-worker.

4:30pm

A co-worker who consistently travels with Benoit, called Benoit from outside Houston airport and Benoit answered. Benoit told the co-worker that Nancy was throwing up blood and that Daniel was also throwing up. Benoit thought they had food poisoning. Benoit stated he changed his flight and he would be arriving into Houston at 6:30pm. Benoit told the co-worker to drive onto the WWE event.

5:35pm

Benoit called WWE Talent Relations stating that his son was throwing up and that he and Nancy were in the hospital with their son, and that Benoit would be taking a later flight into Houston, landing late, but would make the WWE live event in Beaumont.

6:10pm

A representative of Talent Relations called Benoit. The representative from Talent Relations asked Benoit what time Benoit was getting into Beaumont. Benoit responded he was leaving Atlanta at 9:20pm Eastern time arriving into Houston at 9:24pm Central time. The representative from Talent Relations advised Benoit that it would be too late to make the WWE live event in Beaumont. Benoit apologized citing he had a family emergency. The representative from Talent Relations suggested to Benoit that instead of going to the WWE live event in Beaumont, Benoit should take the flight to Houston, rest up and be ready for the Vengeance Pay-Per-View event.

6:13pm

The representative from Talent Relations called Benoit to reconfirm the travel plans with no answer from Benoit. The representative from Talent Relations left a voice message to take the flight and rest up.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Text messages sent to co-workers from Chris Benoit and Nancy Benoit’s cell phones:

Text Message 1

Sent to: Two Co-Workers (the same who had verbal correspondence with Benoit the day before)

From: Benoit’s cell phone

When: 6/24 at 3:53am from

Message: C, S. My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia. 30215

Text Message 2

Sent to: Two Co-Workers (the same who had verbal correspondence with Benoit the day before)

From: Benoit’s cell phone

When: 6/24 at 3:53am

Message: The dogs are in the enclosed pool area. Garage side door is open

Text Message 3

Sent to: Two Co-Workers (the same who had verbal correspondence with Benoit the day before)

From: Nancy Benoit’s cell phone

When: 6/24 at 3:54am

Message: C, S. My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia. 30215

Text Message 4

Sent to: Two Co-Workers (the same who had verbal correspondence with Benoit the day before)

From: Nancy Benoit’s cell phone

When: 6/24 at 3:55am

Message: C, S. My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia. 30215

Text Message 5

Sent to: A Co-Worker who consistently traveled with Benoit

From: Nancy Benoit’s cell phone

When: 6/24 at 3:58am

Message: My address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia. 30215

WWE made several attempts to contact Benoit via phone and text messages, as well as, the local hospitals in the Atlanta area. As of 11:00 pm Sunday night there was no contact made with Benoit.

Monday, June 25, 2007

12:30pm

WWE was notified of text messages sent to the two co-workers.

12:45pm

WWE contacted the Fayetteville County Sheriff’s office and requested them to go to Benoit’s

residence

4:00pm

WWE received a call from the Fayetteville County Sheriff’s office, advising that they entered

the house of Benoit and found 3 deceased bodies (a male, a female and a child). The Fayette County Sheriff’s office has secured the house as a “major crime scene” and that the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office had no further information.

http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/detailedbenoittimeline

http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/detailedbenoittimeline

Edited June 27, 200718 yr by Q Steph

We can't take away Chris Benoit's accomplishments as an entertainer and a wrestler. I feel very much for his fans and his family and friends. But obviously he was a very disturbed man and it is clear that he deliberately murdered his wife and child. The very few times I watched wrestling and they were few, I enjoyed him. I will not take that away from him, he was very good at what he did.

But he also is a murderer. There is no getting around that. His wife and an innocent child are dead because of his actions. He isn't the first sports star or entertainer who is a murderer, let's just hope he is the last.

Edited June 27, 200718 yr by Tishy

Hall of Famer? I doubt that happening.

Well I say RIP to his wife and kid. As for him I think hes a monster for what he did to them and all his accomplishments in the ring aren't going to change where hes headed for. And its quite sad how people are so obsessed about roids in baseball and other sports when its so obvious that wrestling (which is completely fake ironically) probably has the most users of drugs and steroids.