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Wrestling Superstar Found Dead

Posted Jun 25th 2007 6:51PM by TMZ Staff

WWE superstar Chris Benoit, 40, his wife Nancy and young son were found dead in their Atlanta home early this afternoon, this according to WWE.com.

No further details regarding the tragedy have been released. Benoit was scheduled to appear at a pay-per-view event last night ... WWE said that there was a "family emergency" that prevented him from being there.

Benoit, a former World Heavyweight Champ, wreaked havoc with his signature move, the "Crippler Crossface."

The incident comes on the heels of the shocking death of former WWE wrestler "Sensational" Sherri Martel, and the supposed "assassination" of WWE head honcho Vince McMahon. TMZ has learned that the WWE is scrapping all references to the McMahon death storyline on tonight's episode of "Raw.'

According to the official WWE website, tonight's "Raw" will serve as a tribute to the wrestling great.

Police are investigating the incident.

UPDATE: ABC News is reporting that the deaths are being investigated as a possible suicide and double homicide.

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(Page 2 of 44) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. I'm really sorry to hear this. He seemed like a standup guy. I used to be a big fan.

Posted at 7:05PM on Jun 25th 2007 by Michael

17. WOW, speechless
Prayers go out to his surviving family members

Posted at 7:06PM on Jun 25th 2007 by bestofluck

18. I think that it's a Murder-suicide.

He flew home the other day and missed Sunday's big WWE pay-per-view due to a "family emergency"...

Things must have gotten real ugly...

Posted at 7:05PM on Jun 25th 2007 by STEVE-O

19. My guess is that he finally shot up too many steroids and wen't berserk and killed his family over nothing.

Posted at 7:07PM on Jun 25th 2007 by John

20. yeah, because steroids make you go beserk and kill people

You're an idiot

Posted at 7:08PM on Jun 25th 2007 by Michael

21. Sad news, and at a time when the owner of the WWE is faking his own death for ratings. Hopefully, that will end tonight. It was said last night that he missed the PPV because he had to fly home to Georgia for a family emergency. I wonder if this happened before last night and who knew about it.

Posted at 7:10PM on Jun 25th 2007 by Jim K

22. I was shocked when i heard the news at one of the wrestling fan sites.i honestly thought this was a storyline but when i heard that his wife and son were killed as well.this is soo terrible.he was such a great and entertaining wrestler and will truly be missed.

P.S. Thank you TMZ for reporting this story because this has yet to be reported on news channels! you guys are always one step ahead of the game :)

Posted at 7:48PM on Jun 25th 2007 by Jessica

23. HE WILL BE MISSED

THIS HAS YET TO BEEN SAID HE LEFT WWE HOUSE SHOW SATURDAY DUE TO FAMILY EMERGENCY AND MISSED PPV LAST NIGHT

IM THINKIN HE FOUND HIS WIFE WITH SOMEONE AND WENT NUTS

Posted at 7:13PM on Jun 25th 2007 by Zeppe Borelli

24. YET ANOTHER TERRIBLE TRAGEDY REGARDLESS

Posted at 7:11PM on Jun 25th 2007 by SAPPHIRE

25. His wife and kids were coughing up blood so he missed Sunday's PPV. I think they died and he killed himself.

Posted at 7:11PM on Jun 25th 2007 by scott meigel

26. Oh my goodness! This is horrible!

Posted at 7:15PM on Jun 25th 2007 by Piras Hitlon

27. Oh no! He was one of the best. One day after missing sunday's PPV... the whole family dead. This should be investigated by federal authorities.

Posted at 7:17PM on Jun 25th 2007 by Jack

28. Don't worry, he'll be quickly replaced with another steroid user willing to ruin his health and destroy his family soon enough.

Posted at 7:17PM on Jun 25th 2007 by John

29. Thanks TMZ! No other news agency will tackle this sunject like you. Please keep us posted and get bto the bottom of this.

RIP Crippler!