WWE Chris Benoit Found Dead at Estate

Murder-suicide of Wife, Son, and Himself

Wrestling Fans, and the community at large has experienced a great loss on Monday June 25, 2007. One of the mainstays in television entertainment's WWE, wrestler Chris Benoit along with his wife, and son were found dead Monday. Police have reported that the deaths appear to be a murder-suicide.

As reported by the (AP) 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 a crime lab examined evidence. The full results will most likely be known within one to two weeks according to NBC on air news report.

The station at this point in time said that investigators believe the 40-year-old Benoit killed his wife, Nancy, and 7-year-old son, Daniel, over the weekend, then himself on Monday. A neighbor called police, and the bodies were found in three rooms. WWE had events over the weekend that Benoit was to attend, and when he did not show it was advised to check up on the wrestlers home a normal procedure.

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, which is standard to hear when a newly discovered case such as this is discovered. These investigations take time, and nobody would want to make a wrong report or to place blame before knowing the facts. So stay tuned for more details as they come.

Benoit had a prolific career as a professional wrestler. He was a former world heavyweight and intercontinental champion. He also held several tag-team titles during his career. He was a tough gritty wrestler, he was thought of as an animal in the wring like a wolverine. Outside the ring however was thought of as reserved quiet and to himself.

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