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Celebrity Justice
Benoit's History of Domestic Violence Exposed

Posted Jun 26th 2007 1:27PM by TMZ Staff

Before her grisly death, Chris Benoit's wife once told a judge that she was, "intimidated by threats of violence" from her 220 lb. husband.

In divorce papers filed in 2003, Nancy Benoit included a petition for protection from domestic abuse against Chris. In the papers, Nancy claimed that Benoit, "lost his temper and threatened to strike the petitioner and cause extensive damage to the home and personal belongings of the parties, including furniture." Nancy added that she was, "in reasonable fear for petitioner's own safety and that of the minor child."

Three months later, Nancy filed to have the divorce papers and the restraining order dismissed. A short time later, a judge granted her wish.

As TMZ first reported, law enforcement sources tell TMZ they believe Benoit strangled his wife on Saturday, smothered his son on Sunday and then hanged himself on Monday.

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Tags: chris benoit, ChrisBenoit, nancy

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1. Wow, this whole story is just freaky! I'm thinking long time use of steriods played a part in him going completely nuts!

Posted at 1:42PM on Jun 26th 2007 by Laurie Lu

2. these women....if you're scared of him today, you really need to STAY scared of him....he ain't changin', honey....and now you and your boy are one more sad, sorry statistic that didn't have to happen.

Posted at 1:41PM on Jun 26th 2007 by pj

3. Speechless

Posted at 1:41PM on Jun 26th 2007 by crazy

4. This story is disturbing...more than what is usual for wrestling now a days! I hate that my teenage son idolizes these guys!

Steroids played a part in him going completely nuts is my guess!

Posted at 1:43PM on Jun 26th 2007 by Laurie Lu

5. Just another example of what performance enhancing drugs (steroids) will do to a persons mental stability. I feel deeply saddend by the deaths of all three, especially for the wife and kid. This could have been prevented.

Posted at 1:46PM on Jun 26th 2007 by murph

6. A real shame. This goes to show that you never know what's going on behind the scenes. It's a small wonder that when you pump someone full of steroids for years, that something like this can happen.

I'm very sorry for Chris, his family, and all who loved him....

Posted at 9:29AM on Jun 27th 2007 by teddybear

7. OMG if this is a correct timeline then there's a very good chance that the son KNEW what had happened to his mother...that poor little boy. I feel bad enough for the mother, but that poor poor child had to have been terrified. BURN IN HELL CHRIS BENOIT, BURN IN HELL!!!!

Posted at 1:45PM on Jun 26th 2007 by gel

8. This is so tragic, and he killed his own son my god,
she chose to stay with this maniac and their son paid the price...horrific

Posted at 3:06PM on Jun 26th 2007 by mkatan

9. What a coward. He is NO HERO. I don't care what he did in his career. He is nothing but a coward. May God have mercy on his soul.

Posted at 1:46PM on Jun 26th 2007 by disgusted

10. lets not forget his wife was a bit of a head case also...she pushed him to the brink...and this is what you get

Posted at 1:53PM on Jun 26th 2007 by VKM

11. Laurie Lu: YOUR A MORON! Don't you dare blame the other wrestlers because of the actions of Chris! Get a fucking brain!

Posted at 1:47PM on Jun 26th 2007 by Marie

12. This should be a wake up call for every woman that is in an abusive relationship. Just leave and never look back. It is better than staying and being dead.

I watched part of that tribute show last night and all I could think of was how wrong it was to have it on last night before any of the facts were in. I wonder, would all those people that said all those nice things last night say the same thing today about him.

Posted at 1:47PM on Jun 26th 2007 by Very Saddened

13. Give us the bizarre text messages already, your slacking TMZ

Posted at 2:24PM on Jun 26th 2007 by kd

14. What a sicko to do such a thing, I bet he was on steroids. They make you violent.

Posted at 1:48PM on Jun 26th 2007 by Luckysaiyan

15. I once upon a time watched wrestling. I didn't like him back then. Now I hate him. But when everything is said and done, it still doesn't bring any of them back to life. I am saddened that he is no longer alive, be it suicide or otherwise. His history is coming out now that nothing can be done about it. His wife and child had their chance to get away, but like all of us, we make choices. R.I.P.

Posted at 1:47PM on Jun 26th 2007 by Jenn

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