Canadian pro wrestler Chris Benoit strangled his wife and smothered his son before hanging himself in his weight room, a Georgia law enforcement official close to the investigation said Tuesday.
Benoit, his wife and their seven-year-old son were found dead Monday in an apparent double-murder suicide in their Fayette County, Atlanta, home. Benoit was born in Montreal but grew up in Edmonton.
Investigators believe Benoit killed his wife, 43-year-old Nancy, and son Daniel on the weekend and then himself Monday.
Sheriff's Sgt. Keith Whiteside said investigators found Benoit in the home's weight room, his wife in an office and the son in an upstairs bedroom. Benoit has two other children from a prior relationship.
Steroids may have been a factor
Authorities are also investigating whether steroids may have been a factor in the deaths of the family.
Steroid abuse has been linked to depression, paranoia and aggressive behaviour or angry outbursts known as 'roid rage.
"We don't know yet. That's one of the things we'll be looking at," said Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard.
Autopsies were scheduled Tuesday by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, but Ballard said some test results may not be back for weeks.
The official who described the deaths spoke on the condition of anonymity because the information was to be released at a news conference later Tuesday.
Wrestler sent 'curious' text messages
World Wrestling Entertainment said on its website that it asked police to check on Benoit and his family after being alerted by friends who received "several curious text messages sent by Benoit early Sunday morning."
The WWE, based in Stamford, Conn., said authorities asked that it not release further information on the deaths.
Benoit was a former world heavyweight Intercontinental champion and held several tag-team titles over his career. He was known by several names, including the Canadian Crippler.
He maintained a home in the Atlanta area from the time he wrestled for World Championship Wrestling, which existed from 1988 to 2001.
"WWE extends its sincerest thoughts and prayers to the Benoit family's relatives and loved ones in this time of tragedy," the federation said in a statement on its website.
Benoit was scheduled to perform at the Vengeance pay-per-view event Sunday night in Houston, but was replaced at the last minute because of what announcer Jim Ross called "personal reasons."
The WWE cancelled its live "Monday Night RAW" in Corpus Christi, Texas, and USA Network aired a three-hour tribute to Benoit in place of the scheduled wrestling telecast.
With files from the Associated Press
