Chris Benoit appeared to have everything before his demise. The renowned professional wrestler, dubbed the "Canadian Crippler," enjoyed worldwide fame and adoration from his fans. However, on June 24, 2007, he committed the heinous act of murdering his family before taking his own life, sending shockwaves through the world of professional wrestling.
Benoit's death marked a grisly end to an otherwise remarkable journey. Hailing from Quebec, the wrestler had spent 22 years ascending the ranks of professional wrestling. Beginning his career in Canada, he ventured to Japan before ultimately joining Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2000.
Chris Benoit, Once A Celebrated WWE Star, Tragically Ended His Life And That Of His Family In A Horrifying IncidentBenoit, a prominent figure in WWE, boasted an impressive record of 22 championships and a devoted fan base. However, everything took a dark turn over a three-day period in June 2007 when, unbeknownst to the public, Benoit committed the atrocious acts of murdering his wife Nancy and then his seven-year-old son Daniel before ending his own life.
The shocking murder-suicide reverberated throughout the wrestling community and beyond, sparking inquiries into WWE's drug testing policies, Benoit's alleged steroid use, and the potential effects of his extensive wrestling career on his mental state.
Despite some revelations surfacing posthumously, the true motives behind the tragic conclusion of Chris Benoit's life, where he killed his family and himself, remained shrouded in mystery.
Chris Benoit's Rise In Professional Wrestling
Christopher Michael Benoit, born on May 21, 1967, in Quebec, Canada, was captivated by wrestling from an early age. As recounted by his father to ABC News, Benoit's passion for the sport was evident even in his youth.
"He was pretty much driven from the age of 12, 13 to get in the wrestling industry," his father, Mike Benoit, explained. "Chris lifted weights every day. He was 13 years old… he was breaking records in high school in our basement."
Starting his wrestling journey at 18, Benoit delved earnestly into the world of professional wrestling. Swiftly, he climbed the ranks, transitioning from the Stampede Wrestling circuit to the New Japan World Wrestling circuit, then onto World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and ultimately to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF)/World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
Chris Benoit, Once A Celebrated WWE Star, Tragically Ended His Life And That Of His Family In A Horrifying IncidentThroughout his journey, Benoit garnered immense respect as a wrestler. With an impressive tally of 22 championships, he was lauded for his exceptional skills in the ring, particularly his technical prowess. However, this success was not without its drawbacks. Benoit's reliance on steroids and testosterone, in defiance of WWE regulations, and the frequent blows to his head from opponents took a toll.
"Cables, ladders, chairs… the props they were using when they were getting hit in the head. It's a real chair, it's a steel chair," his father told ABC News.
Despite his outward appearances of normalcy, with two marriages and three children, Benoit occasionally exhibited violent tendencies. His second wife, Nancy, filed for divorce shortly after their 2000 marriage.
Nancy expressed concerns to Sports Keeda about Chris Benoit's unpredictable behavior when angered, fearing for her and their son Daniel's safety. However, she later withdrew her divorce filing.
The news of Chris Benoit's suicide at the age of 40 came as a profound shock, compounded by the revelation that he had also taken the lives of Nancy and Daniel.
Chris Benoit's Death And The Murder Of His Family
Chris Benoit, Once A Celebrated WWE Star, Tragically Ended His Life And That Of His Family In A Horrifying IncidentScheduled to participate in the pay-per-view event Vengeance: Night of Champions in Houston, Texas, on June 24, 2007, Chris Benoit was anticipated to claim the Extreme Championship Wrestling World Championship. Yet, Benoit failed to make an appearance.
On that very day, Benoit sent a peculiar message to his friend Chavo Guerrero, the nephew of the late wrestler Eddie Guerrero. "The dogs are in the enclosed pool area, and the back door is open."
As reported by Sports Keeda, Chavo Guerrero didn't become alarmed by Benoit's messages until he realized Benoit had failed to appear at the scheduled pay-per-view event. He promptly informed WWE authorities, prompting them to contact the police. Upon reaching Benoit's residence in Fayetteville, Georgia, which he shared with Nancy and their seven-year-old son Daniel, authorities were met with a horrifying sight: all three were deceased.
According to The New York Times, Nancy was discovered with her extremities bound and blood beneath her head, while Daniel was found in his bed. Meanwhile, Chris Benoit was located hanging from a cable attached to a weight machine in his home gym.
Investigators swiftly concluded that as early as June 22, 2007, Chris Benoit had taken the lives of Nancy and Daniel before taking his own. Nancy was likely strangled first, possibly in a fit of rage, followed by Benoit administering Xanax to his son before smothering him.
Before taking his own life, Chris Benoit conducted some internet searches. ABC News states that he sought out stories about the prophet Elijah, known for resurrecting a child from death. Additionally, Benoit looked into methods for breaking one's neck easily.
Following the tragic events, Chris Benoit placed Bibles beside the bodies of Nancy and Daniel. Subsequently, he retreated to the family's home gym. According to Talk Sports, there, he fastened a cable around his neck, attached it to the highest weight on a weight machine, and released himself.
However, the investigation into the circumstances leading to the wrestler's horrific demise had only just commenced.
What Led A Pro Wrestler To Kill His Family?
Chris Benoit, Once A Celebrated WWE Star, Tragically Ended His Life And That Of His Family In A Horrifying IncidentFollowing the tragedy involving Chris Benoit, numerous inquiries emerged regarding the motive behind the wrestler's violent actions towards his family.
Insights into Benoit's condition surfaced through his autopsy. As reported by Esquire, the examination revealed severe brain damage and testosterone levels ten times higher than the norm. Additionally, Benoit exhibited an enlarged heart, a condition often observed in athletes who misuse steroids and growth hormones.
While Benoit's toxicology findings sparked widespread media attention, with many attributing the incident to "roid rage," experts remained skeptical about such a simplistic explanation.
"This was a murder-suicide spree that lasted over, I believe, a three-day weekend," Dr. Julian Bailes, who works for West Virginia University's Health and Science Center, told ABC News. "I don't think that 'roid rage,' which is believed to be a snap judgment… in emotions or actions, I don't think this is what explains Chris's behavior."
Rather than attributing Chris Benoit's actions to "roid rage," some experts suggested that his brain injuries played a significant role in the tragic events. West Virginia University reported that Benoit's brain exhibited severe damage, comparable to that of an 85-year-old Alzheimer's patient.
Dr. Bailes, speaking to ABC News, highlighted evidence of repeated head trauma in Benoit's brain—a consequence of the violence endured in the wrestling ring.
"Chris's damage was extensive," Bailes said. "It was replete across multiple areas of the brain. It remains one the worst we have seen."
Observations from Benoit's acquaintances hinted at changes in his behavior leading up to his death. Wrestling legend Eddie Guerrero's sudden passing in 2005 deeply affected Benoit, plunging him into depression. Additionally, reports surfaced of Benoit exhibiting peculiar behavior, including prolonged disappearances and signs of paranoia, as noted by Nancy's sister and fellow wrestler Chris Jericho.
Despite these insights, WWE remained adamant in rejecting any direct link between Chris Benoit's wrestling career and his demise.
In response to inquiries from ABC News, the wrestling organization staunchly maintained: "Someone with the brain of an 85-year-old with dementia would be unable to keep a traveling work schedule, drive himself to arenas, and perform intricate maneuvers in the ring much less commit a methodical murder-suicide over a 48 hour period."
The organization swiftly expunged Benoit from its digital platforms, DVDs, and historical records. However, WWE did enact several policy changes in the aftermath. As reported by Pro Wrestling Stories and Sports Keeda, initiatives such as implementing a "no chair shots to the head" policy, introducing medical supervision during matches, and enhancing drug testing protocols were put into effect.
Despite potential positive shifts in professional wrestling following Chris Benoit's demise, he remains a pariah within the sport. Deadspin likened him to "wrestling's equivalent of Lord Voldemort," rejecting any notion of future honors for him as a wrestling luminary. Instead, the publication advocates for recognition of Benoit's murdered wife, Nancy, who had her own 13-year wrestling career.
However, there is at least one voice defending the wrestler who committed these heinous acts. Chris Benoit's father, Mike, asserted to ABC News that the responsibility for Chris Benoit's tragic end ultimately lies with the professional wrestling industry itself.
"I think if Chris Benoit had been anything other than a professional wrestler… he would still be alive," Mike Benoit said. "I would like people to have an understanding that the tragedy that took place in 2007 happened because of his career choice."
