PR: WWE Shocked At Latest Developments
Date Added: June 26, 2007
Story By: Ryan Gray
WWE released the following press release moments ago:
WWE® Shocked At Latest Developments In Benoit Tragedy, Concerned
By Sensationalistic Reporting
Written: June 26, 2007
STAMFORD, Conn., June 26, 2007 â World Wrestling Entertainment is
stunned and saddened by the details released by local authorities
concerning the double homicide-suicide involving Chris Benoit, his
wife, Nancy, and his son, Daniel.
However, WWE is concerned with the sensationalistic reporting and
speculation being undertaken by some members of the media following
the press conference held by the Fayette County Sheriffâs
Department and the District Attorney. During the press conference,
the investigating authorities made the following points, all of
which run contrary to the media speculation that "roid rage" was a
factor in the senseless murders and suicide:
1. The authorities stated that all drugs found in the house were
believed to be legal prescriptions.
2. Steroids were not, and could not, be related to the cause of
death (asphyxiation). Authorities had no factual basis to speculate
as to Benoitâs state of mind, and rightly did not do so.
3. Toxicology tests have not even been completed, so there is no
current evidence that Benoit even had steroids or any other
substance in his body. In that regard, on the last test done on
Benoit by WWE's independently administered drug testing program,
done on April 10, 2007, Benoit tested negative.
4. The physical findings announced by authorities indicate
deliberation, not rage. The wife's feet and hands were bound and
she was asphyxiated, not beaten to death. By the account of the
authorities, there were substantial periods of time between the
death of the wife and the death of the son, again suggesting
deliberate thought, not rage. The presence of a Bible by each is
also not an act of rage.
5. WWE strongly suggests that it is entirely wrong for speculators
to suggest that steroids had anything to do with these senseless
acts, especially when the authorities plainly stated there is no
evidence that Benoit had steroids in his body, pending the
toxicological reports, and that they had no evidence at this time
as to the motive for these acts.
WWE is continuing to monitor the ongoing investigation being
conducted by local authorities.
