Wrestler and Family Killed in Murder-Suicide

Bodies of wife and young son found in dead champion's home

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 26, 2007 4:37 AM CDT

(Newser) – A professional wrestler was found dead yesterday with his wife and 7-year old son in what authorities are calling a murder-suicide. Investigators believe Chris Benoit, 40, killed his family over the weekend in their secluded Georgia home before committing suicide yesterday. A neighbor alerted police, who discovered the bodies in three different rooms.

Autopsy results will be released later today. Benoit, a former world heavyweight and intercontinental champion, had canceled an appearance in a pay-per-view event sponsored by World Wrestling Entertainment in Houston Sunday night due to "personal reasons," according to a spokesman.

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

In this March 29, 2004 file photo, provided by World Wrestling Entertainment Chris Benoit is shown. Pro wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife and 7-year-old son were found slain Monday, June 25, 2007 at their... (Associated Press)

In this undated photo released by World Wrestling Entertainment, pro wrestler Chris Benoit is seen. Benoit, his wife and 7-year-old son were found slain Monday, June 25, 2007, at their home in Fayetteville,... (Associated Press)

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Wrestler and Family Killed in Murder-Suicide