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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.

Tags: chris benoit, ChrisBenoit, nancy

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76. What causes a guy like Chris Benoit to just suddenly snap like that ?

He was the last wrestler I'd have expected something like this from.

It only seems like 5 minutes since he and Eddie Guerrero were standing in the ring together as champions at WM 20. Now three years later they're both dead. Jesus Christ.

Posted at 2:14PM on Jun 26th 2007 by Mike H

77. I got out...I got a restraining order and to this day have never spoken to my very violent ex. Had I stayed I am sure either I would be dead or both my son and I would be dead.That was the best thing I could do, the 2nd best thing was ensuring he was charged and convicted of assault that way the his next victim will have a better shot of putting him in jail when he attacks her for no reason. It is never easy to get out. I am sure Chris Benoit cried and swore he was a changed man.....she trusted him and he killed her and her child..

Posted at 2:16PM on Jun 26th 2007 by gwen0

78. I may be evil,but I do have standards.Does anyone have use for a murderous,cowardly wrestler?

Posted at 4:31PM on Jun 27th 2007 by The DEVIL

79. I am totally disgusted by this. I have an eleven year old son who loves wrestling all everything that it involves. He became fighting mad when my fiance' and I told him that it was fake. Since that time, we have introduced him to UFC, which I might say is a hell of a lot better than wrestling. These guys are no saints, but at least you don't hear of the drama surrounding them like you do in the WWE. The WWE is nothing more than a bunch of pumped up actors on steriods and God knows what else. They get paid to make threats and act like complete idiots. They probably can't separate fact from fiction and he took it to far...

Posted at 2:14PM on Jun 26th 2007 by diana

80. She was going to leave him because of abuse. This thing reeks of "if I can't have you, no one will"

Posted at 2:16PM on Jun 26th 2007 by no comment

81. that's the reason im divorcing, we had a fight and my husband push me into the bed, that's how domestic violence starts, first the push u, then slap u, later you're dead, sadly

Posted at 2:15PM on Jun 26th 2007 by yajaira

82. hello steroids arent something new not just in wrestling they may have played a part in this case but i think he may have had some mentral and personal issues as well how many killers sre there in baseball with that scandal? oh yes none, football? none yea steroids run higher in sports like professional wrestling but this is there lively hood the week dont survive from making millions to working at the local convienence store if you dont keep pace, i'm sure alot of these guys dont want to be using roids but the have to survival of the fittest,but there is no excuse for what he did, wwe should not have had that memorial for him last night, untill they had the facts, now because of one man actions the wwe has a huge black eye nad many other wrestlers will get lumped with benoit. Pray for him and his family

Posted at 2:17PM on Jun 26th 2007 by cheese

83. May this family RIP!

Posted at 2:16PM on Jun 26th 2007 by Heartbreak Kid

84. Such is life.

Posted at 2:17PM on Jun 26th 2007 by bill

85. I knew Chris was a stupid creep.I feel badly for his surviving children,but he will not ever hurt you,praise the lord for that

Posted at 4:11PM on Jun 26th 2007 by tightwad

86. Why kill your kid and wife....If you are not happy stick a gun in your mouth...Don't hurt the children.............They have a special place in hell for him..................

Posted at 2:19PM on Jun 26th 2007 by M

87. What a bastar$, I hope he ROTS IN HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 2:32PM on Jun 26th 2007 by Tik

88. people you need to shut up.. if you even knew anything about wrestling you would have seen the ppv were in every match he won his family was in the ring with him... so stop saying "burn in hell chris" and have some respect for the family. he was all about respect so before you go judging people acctuly learn something about them! you people have no respect once so ever

Posted at 2:22PM on Jun 26th 2007 by jeffhardygirl24_7

89. CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES!!!!!!
I AM A WRESTLING FAN,WE CAN NOT BLAME WRESTLING. AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THAT HOUSE. I AM NOT TAKING UP FOR HIM IF THIS IS WHAT HAPPEN HE NEEDS TO BURN IN HELL. I CAN NOT UNDERSTAN WHAT COULD MAKE A MAN--DAD DO THIS HE COULD HAVE SENT THE SON SOMEWHERE THE SON DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE!!!

Posted at 2:45PM on Jun 26th 2007 by gladys24

90. someone said:
"61. She was going to leave him because of abuse. This thing reeks of "if I can't have you, no one will"

Posted at 2:16PM on Jun 26th 2007 by no comment"

BINGO..mixed with steroids...

Posted at 2:22PM on Jun 26th 2007 by imo

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