The wrestling world continues to grapple with one of its darkest chapters nearly two decades later, as chilling details about WWE superstar Chris Benoit's final communications have resurfaced. The horrific events of June 2007, when Benoit murdered his wife Nancy and their seven-year-old son Daniel before taking his own life, remain a profound tragedy that permanently altered professional wrestling.
A Disturbing Series of Messages
In the days leading up to the gruesome discovery at their Fayetteville, Georgia home, Benoit sent increasingly alarming messages to close friends and fellow wrestlers. While he communicated with multiple contacts, one particular voicemail left for a friend has been described by investigators as especially chilling and revealing.
Police revealed that Benoit's final message contained mundane yet ominous details about his household. He informed his friend that the family dogs were outside in the backyard and that the back door had been left open. This communication, now widely interpreted as a grim clue, suggested something was terribly wrong inside the residence even before authorities arrived.
The Discovery That Shocked the World
Concern for Benoit's wellbeing grew when he failed to appear at a scheduled WWE pay-per-view event where he was supposed to wrestle. This prompted requests for a welfare check, leading police officers to his home on June 25, 2007. To their horror, they discovered the bodies of Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their young son Daniel.
Investigators determined that the killings occurred over a three-day period. Nancy Benoit was strangled first, followed by their son Daniel, who was sedated and subsequently suffocated. Benoit then took his own life by hanging himself using gym equipment in the basement of their family home.
A Career and Legacy Destroyed
At the time of his death, the 40-year-old Benoit was widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted wrestlers of his generation. Just three years earlier, he had celebrated a world championship victory at WrestleMania 20 alongside his wife and son in a moment that represented professional wrestling's ultimate family triumph.
Following the revelation of his crimes, WWE moved swiftly to erase Benoit from its official history. His name is almost never mentioned on WWE programming, he has been completely excluded from consideration for the Hall of Fame, and his wrestling legacy remains permanently overshadowed by his heinous actions.
The Medical Context Behind the Tragedy
Benoit's autopsy revealed significant brain damage consistent with advanced chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative condition linked to repeated head trauma. Medical professionals described his brain as resembling that of someone with advanced Alzheimer's disease, providing important context for understanding the psychological state that may have contributed to the tragedy.
While WWE initially aired a controversial tribute episode following Benoit's death before the full circumstances were known, the organization has since maintained a firm position of distancing itself from any association with the wrestler. His name has been deservedly scrubbed from the record books, though the case continues to raise important questions about head trauma in contact sports and mental health support for athletes.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. In the UK & ROI, Samaritans are available on 116 123. In the US, call or text 988.
