Benoit murder-suicide bizarre

2007-06-26 19:10

Fayetteville, Georgia - Authorities investigating the apparent murder-suicide of professional wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife and their 7-year-old son said on Tuesday the details of the deaths may seem a "little bizarre" when released to the public.

The family was found dead on Monday, and authorities were investigating the deaths as a murder-suicide, and were not seeking any suspects outside the Fayette County home. Investigators believe the 40-year-old Benoit killed his wife, Nancy, 47, and son, Daniel, over the weekend, then himself on Monday.

Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "The details, when they come out, are going to prove a little bizarre."

Those details may emerge after the completion of autopsies scheduled for Tuesday.

Ballard told The Associated Press a gun was not used in any of the deaths. But he declined to say how the three died.

"We're pretty sure we know, but we want to confirm it with the crime lab," Ballard said early on Tuesday.

Authorities also declined to say whether drugs or steroids were found inside the house.

The sheriff's department will release the cause of death as soon as it is available, but the results of the toxicology tests could take up to a week or longer, said Sgt Keith Whiteside.

World Wrestling Entertainment said on its website that it asked authorities to check on the wrestler and his family after being alerted by friends who received "several curious text messages sent by Benoit early on Sunday morning."

The bodies were found in three different rooms: Benoit in the home's weight room, his wife in an office and the son in an upstairs bedroom, Whiteside said.

Stamford, Connecticut-based WWE also said on its website it had further information on the deaths, but had been asked by authorities not to release it.

- AP