Chris Benoit News

This could become a huge story over the next few days, one that may lead to horrific publicity for the WWE.

Reportedly, Nancy Benoit complained of Chris Benoit's steroid abuse and referred to WWE's Wellness Policy as a "joke" in text messages retrieved from her husband's cell phone just weeks before his murderous spree.

"I will not accept this steroid induced roller coaster ride of emotional abuse," Nancy wrote in a text message on May 9, 2007. "Ignoring the problem or running away isn't going to help you face it. You need professional (help) and only if you're fully honest about all of it."

Benoit and his family were found dead a few weeks later, on June 24.

In a text message later that same day, Nancy pointed to WWE's wellness program: "Get off the stuff," she wrote to her husband. "It's obvious (you're on). I'm probably not the only one who can see and we both know the wellness program is a joke."

We hate to bring this topic up again, but the tragic warnings and words of Nancy Benoit are chilling to recount.

Federal prosecutors say doctors overprescribed testosterone to Chris Benoit in order to combat a hormone condition.

The revelation comes to light as new court papers have been filed in the criminal case against Benoit's personal physician, Dr. Phil Astin. The Feds have charged Astin with over-prescribing medication to two other patients, and are expected to file more charges against him.

The Associated Press reports Benoit had roughly ten times the normal level of testosterone in his system when he died.

After the death of Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit plunged into depression.

So stated a diary by the former WWE superstar himself, one that Benoit's father's lawyer - Cary Ichter - recently made public.

Benoit's father, Michael Benoit, referred to the diary earlier this month, saying it was "written by someone who was extremely disturbed at the time."

While most the entries remain private, it is known that Chris wrote the following words soon after Eddie's death: "I will be with you soon."

"It showed that he was very depressed," Ichter said of the diary.

The father of Chris Benoit says that it might have been the effect of multiple concussions, as opposed Tto steroids, that drove his son to kill family and himself.

Michael Benoit told Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America today that he turned over part of his son’s brain to Julian Bailes, a neurologist at the Sports Legacy Institute.

Tissue analysis, said Bailes, revealed that Benoit’s brain tissue had damage similar to those of Alzheimer’s patients, suggesting that he was suffering from a form of dementia.

Benoit’s dad told Sawyer that his son suffered “multiple concussions,” while Dr. Bailes said that just three could lead to serious consequences.

In any case, said Michael Benoit: “The person that did this is not the man we know and love.”

The father of Chris Benoit questioned Benoit's mental state when he killed his wife and son before killing himself, suggesting he may have had "diminished capacity."

During a Tuesday estate hearing, attorneys for Michael Benoit said that would mean the state's "slayer's statute" _ which keeps a killer or their heirs from profiting from the crime _ would not apply.

Benoit killed his wife, Nancy, and 7-year-old son, Daniel, in June before hanging himself in their Fayetteville home, authorities said.

"Chris' actions in doing this are wholly at odds with the person I knew him to be and everybody else who knew Chris," said Cary Ichter, one of two Atlanta attorneys representing Michael Benoit at the probate court hearing. "He was the model father. He was the model husband. He was a great guy, as nice a person as you'd ever want to meet."

A toxicology report showed Benoit had extremely elevated levels of testosterone in his body but no other illicit drugs or alcohol.

In another development, Judge Martha Stephenson designated Michael Benoit as the permanent administrator to Chris Benoit's estate, while Nancy Benoit's mother, Maureen Toffoloni, assumes that same role for the estates of Nancy Benoit and Daniel.

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A lawyer for Chris Benoit’s personal doctor suggested in court papers the former pro wrestler had a hormone disorder that permitted the amount of steroids he was prescribed before killing his wife, son and himself in June.

In a motion to suppress evidence filed Monday, Dr. Phil Astin’s attorney, Manny Arora, said a federal agent failed to tell a judge who issued search warrants in the case about the legitimate uses of steroids.

Arora wrote that if the government had consulted a hormone disorder specialist, it would have learned that “the amount of medication in question was not excessive and would be medically appropriate based on the medical condition of Mr. Benoit.”

The court filing did not elaborate on Benoit's condition. A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office declined to comment.

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The Edmonton Sun has an article up featuring comments from the father of Chris Benoit, Michael.

He confirmed that Chris' body was quietly cremated. Michael stated that the family intended on talking about the tragedy down the line, once they have more time to come to terms with it. He had the following to say at the moment:

"We're trying to cope. It's a difficult time and we are trying to do our best."

It could have been the highlight of his career. But the match never happened.

CM Punk was scheduled to face Chris Benoit for the vacated ECW world title on the evening of June 24 at WWE's Vengeance pay-per-view in Houston. Benoit, of course, never showed. The following night Punk and the other superstars of WWE received the chilling news that Benoit, one of the most respected performers in the company, had allegedly killed his wife and his 7-year-old son before taking his own life.

CM Punk, like the rest of his colleagues, was stunned and saddened.

"Mind, you, when I first heard, there were no details. I was pretty sad. I was disappointed because I was supposed to wrestle him at the pay-per-view. I guess I was confused and disappointed. Obviously my confusion would grow the next day."

The tragedy hit Punk especially hard since he grew up a fan of Benoit.

"I was always a huge fan of Chris Benoit and was extremely influenced by him and his work ethic," says Punk. He says he was even more flattered when he first met Benoit, and the Canadian-born wrestler told the youngster that he was a fan of his.

"That paints a picture of who Chris Benoit was. He was a student of the game. He was a student when he really didn't need to be anymore."

But, says Punk, Benoit was first and foremost a teacher.

"I think that's the relationship he and I had. We were buddies, and he'd go out of his way to talk to me. Not only about wrestling, but about the music I liked and what was going on in my life. He took care of everybody in the locker room. He asked questions, and he wanted to know what was going on with everybody."

Benoit was a product of the old school of wrestling, a graduate of Stu Hart's infamous dungeon facility in Calgary, and knew when to push the right buttons, says Punk.

"He could also be very stern. I remember staying late many times cleaning up the locker room. But I did it not just because I had to do it, but because it was what needed to be done."

Click here to read the full interview with CM Punk.

The WWE has issued the following statement concerning the toxicology results on in the Chris Benoit case:

WWE understands that the toxicology reports for Chris Benoit indicate that he tested positive for testosterone and negative for anabolic steroids. On Mr. Benoit's last drug test in April 2007 administered by Aegis Labs, he tested negative for anabolic steroids and for testosterone. Given the toxicology report of GBI released today, it would appear that Mr. Benoit took testosterone sometime after his April 2007 test and the time he died.

WWE understands that his dealings with Dr. Astin are currently being investigated, and WWE has no knowledge of whether Dr. Astin prescribed testosterone for Mr. Benoit at some point after the April 2007 tests.

For over 20 years, the WWE has been demonstrating our concern for the well being of our contracted athletes, instituting drug testing in 1987 leading up to our current Wellness Program which began on February 27, 2006, administered by Dr. David L. Black of Aegis Sciences Corporation - one of the world's foremost drug testing authorities.

We believe our Wellness Program is at the very least comparable to those of professional sports and is a program that will benefit WWE Superstars for generations to come.

Kris Sperry, chief medical examiner of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, revealed in a press conference today that Chris Benoit tested for elevated levels of testosterone.

An analysis of the urine revealed Benoit had 207 mcg/liter of testosterone, with a testosterone:epitestosterone ratio of 59:1. The data suggests that he had been taking some testosterone for a period shortly before his double murder-suicide, although no other steroids were found in his urine.

Sperry noted that while the data does reveal he was taking testosterone, it is impossible to know why he was taking it. Sperry added that there is no conclusive evidence that steroids could have greatly affected his mental state and driven him to commit the murders and suicide.

Benoit's body also revealed hydrocodone and Xanax use.

Nancy Benoit, like Chris, tested for hydrocodone (along with breakdown product hydromorphone) and Xanax. Her blood alcohol content was .184, although Sperry was quick to note that that level could entirely be caused by the decomposition process.

Sperry said that the hydrocodone and Xanax test levels were in a therapeutic range.

Son Daniel Benoit tested positive for Xanax. Authorities believe he was sedated with the drug prior to his murder.