here's an update on what is happening. i can't believe what i have read and i'm just stunned.
Police: Wrestler Killed His Family, Hanged Himself
POSTED: 7:00 pm EDT June 25, 2007
UPDATED: 12:56 pm EDT June 26, 2007
FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. -- Pro wrestler Chris Benoit strangled his wife and smothered his son before hanging himself in his weight room, a law enforcement official close to the investigation told The Associated Press.
The official spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Authorities also said they are investigating whether steroids may have been a factor in the deaths of Benoit, his wife and their 7-year-old son who were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide.
Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard said test results may not be back for weeks or even months.
"We don't know yet. That's one of the things we'll be looking at," he said.
Fayette County sheriff's Lieutenant Tommy Pope says the three were found at their home Monday afternoon.
Details of the deaths "are going to prove a little bizarre" when released to the public, investigators told WSB-TV reporter Tom Jones.
Investigators believe Benoit killed his wife and the boy, Daniel, sometime over the weekend, and then himself sometime Monday.
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."
Fayette County Sheriff's Sergeant Keith Whiteside says the bodies were found in three different rooms -- Benoit in the home's weight room, his wife in an office and the son in an upstairs bedroom.
The 40-year-old Benoit, a native of Canada, was a former world heavyweight champion, Intercontinental champion and held several tag-team titles over his career.
Benoit was scheduled to perform at the "Vengeance" pay-per-view event Sunday night in Houston, but was replaced at the last minute because of what announcer Jim Ross called "personal reasons."
Benoit maintained a home in metro Atlanta from the time he wrestled for the defunct World Championship Wrestling.
The federal-style house is in a secluded neighborhood set back about 60 yards off a gravel road, surrounded by stacked stone wall and double-iron gate.
Benoit's friends said they were stunned.
"I saw him with his family all the time," said Jimmy Baswell, who was Benoit's driver for more than five years. Accompanied by his wife and son, Baswell laid a white wreath Tuesday at the Benoits' gate.
"They always seemed like they were the happiest people," he said.
Baswell said Benoit had promised to teach his 13-year-old son Gavin how to wrestle. In a letter placed on the wreath, Gavin promised to grow up and become a wrestler like Benoit.
"Hey Chris, hope you like it up there in heaven. Don't worry about me. I'm still going to wrestle. Tell Daniel and Nancy I said hi," the letter said.
Neighbors said the Benoits led a low-key lifestyle.
"They were nice," said Lorre Jones, who lives across the street. Her daughter Alaina said, "We would see Chris walking in his yard from time to time. He wasn't rude, but he wasn't really outwardly warm."
"You never dream anything like this would happen in your neighborhood -- let alone across the street," Lorre Jones said.
Benoit and his wife, Nancy, 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, according to the AJC.
Benoit has two other children from a prior relationship.
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