In the ring, wrestler Chris Benoit, the “Canadian Crippler,” would vault from the ropes to pancake an opponent. Or grab a wrestler from behind before slamming him to the mat.
It was all in fun, part of the smackdown entertainment that millions of wrestling fans enjoy.
And Benoit, who was just under 6 feet and about 230 pounds, was one of the best, crowned World Wrestling Entertainment champion in 2004. He performed on pay-per-view events that were broadcast worldwide.
But away from the limelight, the 40-year-old resident of suburban Atlanta was struggling with family issues he couldn’t defeat. The results were tragic.
Over the weekend, Benoit, a native of Montreal, strangled his wife, Nancy Benoit, 43, and their son, Daniel, 7, and placed Bibles next to their bodies before hanging himself with cord from a weight machine, authorities said Tuesday.
Fayette County Sheriff’s Lt. Tommy Pope said steroids were found at the house.
“There were some prescription medications … that we believe at this time were legal prescriptions,” he said.
No note was left, and people who knew Benoit were at a loss to explain the carnage.
Deputies went to check on Benoit after his employer, World Wrestling Entertainment, told them he had missed out-of-state engagements.
The Benoits had been together since 1997 and were married in 2000. He had two other children from a former marriage.
Signs of trouble in the Benoit marriage became apparent in May 2003, when Nancy Benoit filed for divorce and sought court protection from her husband.
In the protective order petition, she said Benoit “lost his temper and threatened to strike the petitioner and cause extensive damage to the home.”
But three months later, the couple reconciled and the petition was dismissed.
Dave Meltzer, publisher of the Wrestling Observer newsletter, said medication is a part of the pro wrestling culture. Benoit broke his neck about six years ago, which put him out of action for more than a year.
“I know [his wife] was concerned about the drugs — painkillers and the steroids,” Meltzer said. “That was a problem.”