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R.I.P.
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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61. Hey John, why don't you stop posting and continue to watch your "fake" movies and play your "fake" video games. You don't know anything about Benoit. He was truly something special. Of course, someone like you would never see that because you think you are above "fake" pro wrestling. Do us all a favor and go away. Let those who respected this man's work pray for him and his family.

Posted at 7:56PM on Jun 25th 2007 by John is an idiot.

62.
Officials would not say how the family died, other than to say they weren't shot to death.

Posted at 7:57PM on Jun 25th 2007 by Sad :(

63. Murder-suicide...but if Benoit had to leave for "family emergency", it was probably his wife that did it.

Posted at 9:36PM on Jun 25th 2007 by Natalie

64. there's something fishy going on, I think. Sherri Martel's death was also undetermined, and not of natural causes.

what the hell?

Posted at 8:00PM on Jun 25th 2007 by mia

65. This sucks, that guy was a great wrestler, my heart goes out to the families.

Posted at 8:00PM on Jun 25th 2007 by SlappDaddy

66. O.J did it.

Posted at 8:03PM on Jun 25th 2007 by Suzie

67. "Respected the man's work"--oooh, that's rich. I didn't know he was the Picasso of wrestling. Jesus H. Christ, get a friggin' life. Put down the beer and bag of pork rinds and get out of your trailor for an hour or two and go visit a museum or your local library to observe "the works" of far more interesting men.

Posted at 8:02PM on Jun 25th 2007 by John

68. Im sorry to hear about his death and im glad Vince has made this night for him. I just hope Chris didnt do anything...gosh thats horrible to think but these days you never know.

Posted at 8:03PM on Jun 25th 2007 by SWEET_BLONDE

69. My first thought is/was murder suicide. But why a child? Why in general? I am heartbroken and I was not really a fan, it's the thought of something so horrific happening. My heart goes out to the families and friends left to figure out what happened.

Posted at 8:10PM on Jun 25th 2007 by Hmmm....

70. John. you are a bad person.

Posted at 12:24AM on Jun 26th 2007 by Goon

71. John, I live in New York City and am an educated man. So because someone likes to watch wrestling that makes them a dumb or bad person? Look in the mirror and take your hate elsewhere.

Posted at 8:08PM on Jun 25th 2007 by You people make me sick.

72. I just checked the Atlanta Journal-Constitution site and all they say aside from what's here is that they were not shot to death.

Posted at 9:07PM on Jun 25th 2007 by AngelJ

73. This is a sad day in wresting. Chris Benoit was one of my favorite wrestelers. I will truly miss him. My heart goes out to him and the rest of his family. God bless you Chris.

Posted at 8:51PM on Jun 25th 2007 by James T

74. We will miss him very much. I hope they find what happened to them. And if they were killed I hope they hang the bastards!!

Posted at 4:38AM on Jun 28th 2007 by KEVIN Griboski

75. Let me get this straight, John. You're on here continually antagonizing and spewing general idiocy, and WE'RE the ones who need to "get a friggin' life"?

Don't you have a fire to be playing in or something?

Posted at 8:19PM on Jun 25th 2007 by Joe

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