Chris Benoit Dead - Toxicology results released

[haws bah gawd 0]

Yea pretty much. Sad huh?

 

Thanks, Benoit. You had to go be a dick and kill yourself and your family. Now I have to sit through Morrison talking about his Palace of Wisdom every week.

[TheFranchise 0]

Now come on, John Morrison's awesome.

[Boxer 0]

So here is a question for all of you. It is clear by a huge margin that this will go down as the #1 wrestling story of the year, but my question is, what is number 2?

 

With so much happening this year thus far, what is your pick for the 2nd biggest story of the year?

[Lil' Bitch 0]

Yea pretty much. Sad huh?

 

Thanks, Benoit. You had to go be a dick and kill yourself and your family. Now I have to sit through Morrison talking about his Palace of Wisdom every week.

 

Yeah, no kidding. Benoit / Punk was one of the few reasons why I gave a shit about Vengeance because I wanted to see a really good match take place with either guy being rewarded than Chris pulled this shit.

[The Niggardly King 0]

Damn that Benoit for not delivering that sure fire 4 star match with Punk, damn him!

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

So here is a question for all of you. It is clear by a huge margin that this will go down as the #1 wrestling story of the year, but my question is, what is number 2?

 

With so much happening this year thus far, what is your pick for the 2nd biggest story of the year?

I'd say the steroid hearings/fallout, along with the suspensions that occurred today.

[milliondollarchamp 0]

1- Benoit killing his family

2- steroids

[Boxer 0]

I don't know what was going on in the mind of Benoit, but when it is all said and done, this man, and him alone may have one of the biggest affects on wrestling history.

 

Since the acts were commited the WWE has gone into a PR nightmare. Was this Benoit's plan? Who knows, but damn, maybe instead of wrestling, this will be the legacy he leaves behind.

 

So when the wellness policy saves lives and the industry is cleaned up will Benoit be hailed as a saint or still as a devil for what he did? The trickle down affects from this are simply astounishing.

[DrVenkman PhD 0]

http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Chris_Benoit

 

Got some laughs from me.

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

I'll take your Unicyclopedia and raise you Encyclopedia Dramatica:

 

Not Work Safe

http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com/Chris_Benoit

[pappajacks 0]

Since the acts were commited the WWE has gone into a PR nightmare. Was this Benoit's plan? Who knows, but damn, maybe instead of wrestling, this will be the legacy he leaves behind.

 

Don't forget that according to Meltzer, he intentionally left the steroids in full view. He burned many things before committing suicide, but decided to not touch the roids.

[Atticus Chaos 0]

by Dave Meltzer

 

[email protected]

 

A press conference is being held tomorrow at 10:45 a.m. at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York to release findings from the examination of the brain of Chris Benoit.

 

Michael Benoit had given Julian Bailes, MD, the Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at West Virginia University, the rights to examine his son's brain. Benoit will be speaking at the press conference along with Dr. Robert Cantu, the Director of sports Medicine at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA, and Benoit's lawyer, Cary Itchter.

 

It is believed the findings will confirm damage that would enable a "diminished capacity" defense in Chris Benoit's slaying of his son and his wife, before killing himself.

 

[Lil' Bitch 0]

----- ------ was one Hell of a wrestler!

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

I thought his brain melted. If ..... had a degenerating brain then the Wellness Policy should add CAT scan to its tests.

[Darth Vader 0]

3rd episode of the Chris Benoit tributes.

 

lol Whoever makes these is a genius.

[Vern Gagne 0]

I laughed at the Doctored Pepper line.

[Celtic Jobber 0]

FoxNews had a story last night about Benoit's brain tissue being examined, its on YouTube here:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtiEBCKKyX0

[Perfection 0]

Yep, this might explain a few things. If in fact he had this much brain damage, does this change anyone's feelings about him?

 

 

Your Ad Here

 

 

 

 

CHRIS BENOIT'S BRAIN HAD MAJOR DAMAGE AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH

by Dave Scherer @ 9:39:43 AM on 9/5/2007

 

When I heard that Chris Benoit murdered his family and then killed himself, my first thought was to wonder if he had dementia associated with repeated blows to the head. There have been a number of professional athletes (mostly football players) that have suffered from this due to repeated blows to the head and undiagnosed concussions, whose cumulative effects destroyed the athletes' brain.

 

Today, an ABC News story today states that was, in fact, a condition from which Benoit suffered.

 

According to Michael Benoit, Chris' father, tests conducted by Julian Bailes of the Sports Legacy Institute show that Benoit's brain was so severely damaged it resembled that of an 85-year-old Alzheimer's patient. Bailes and his research team say that this damage was the result of a lifetime of chronic concussions and head trauma suffered while Benoit was in the wrestling ring.

 

Benoit was famous for his flying headbutt, which put stress on his brain every time he did it. It's now entirely possible that we know why he committed the acts.

[Atticus Chaos 0]

Well, I'm glad for his family. Hopefully it has put them at ease a little.

[cabbageboy 0]

This news doesn't shock me, and really it makes WWE look bad yet again since for the past 3 months they've had Orton out there giving people concussions on a weekly basis.

[Bix 0]

http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3560015&page=1

 

Benoit's Brain Showed Severe Damage From Multiple Concussions, Doctor and Dad Say

Researchers Say Test Results on the Pro Wrestler's Brain May Help Explain His Suicide, Murder of Son and Wife

 

Sept. 5, 2007 —

 

The family of Chris Benoit has been searching for answers since late June, when the professional wrestler killed his wife, 7-year-old son and then himself.

 

At the crime scene, police found anabolic steroids prompting many to suspect that "roid rage" had accounted for Benoit's behavior, which his family found out of character for the 40-year-old.

 

His family now believes that new test results on Benoit's brain explain his vicious actions.

 

The tests, conducted by Julian Bailes of the Sports Legacy Institute, show that Benoit's brain was so severely damaged it resembled the brain of an 85-year-old Alzheimer's patient.

 

Bailes and his research team say that this damage was the result of a lifetime of chronic concussions and head trauma suffered while Benoit was in the wrestling ring.

 

Benoit's father, Michael Benoit, is speaking out in order to warn other athletes, both professional and student.

 

Dementia Caused by Multiple Concussions, Doctor Says

 

After hearing the news that his son had murdered his 7-year-old son, Daniel, and wife Nancy and then killed himself, Michael Benoit struggled to understand how it could have happened.

 

Michael says Benoit was a "kind and gentle" man who volunteered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and visited U.S. troops overseas in Iraq.

 

"First we needed an understanding. The person that did this is not the man we know and love," Michael said today on "Good Morning America."

 

After the suicide and murders, Michael was contacted by a former wrestler, who suggested he investigate whether years of trauma to Benoit's brain could have contributed to his actions.

 

"I was grasping for anything," Michael told ABC News' Bob Woodruff. "The world was very black. I mean, we didn't even know how to deal with this."

 

So Michael turned over part of his son's brain to Bailes, the head of neurosurgery at West Virginia University and former Pittsburgh Steelers team physician.

 

Bailes and his research team had also analyzed the brains of former NFL players such as Andre Waters and Terry Long, who both committed suicide. Bailes and his colleagues theorize that repeated concussions can lead to dementia, which can contribute to severe behavioral problems.

 

"There is a constant theme in the failure of their personal lives, their business lives, depression and then ultimately suicide," Bailes said.

 

Similar Brain Damage Found in Other Athletes

 

Bailes and his research team took samples from Benoit's brain postmortem and compared these microscopic brain scans to those of a healthy brain.

 

They found that Benoit's brain showed an advanced form of dementia that appears on the brain scan as brown clumps or tangles. These brown spots are actually dead brain cells, killed off as a result of head trauma, said Bailes.

 

In Benoit's case, the damage was found in every section of the brain: all four lobes and deep into the brain stem.

 

"It was extensive throughout Chris' brain," Bailes said. "This is something you should never see in a 40-year-old."

 

The damage is proof, Bailes said, that Benoit suffered multiple, probably chronic, concussions over the course of many years.

 

Benoit, in fact, told friends he had suffered "more concussions than he could count."

 

Benoit's brain showed the same kind of damage Bailes and his team found in four retired NFL players who also suffered multiple concussions and later sank into deep depressions and harmed themselves or others.

 

Perhaps most disturbing, a person doesn't need to have sustained dozens of concussions to see problems later in life.

 

"Our research shows that three concussions may be the threshold for lasting damage," Bailes said.

 

This kind of brain damage isn't new to athletes, but doctors and researchers are starting to understand it better. As far back as the 1920s, career boxers were diagnosed with "punch drunk syndrome," which is now known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

 

Bailes said that while he can't be certain that the brain damage caused Benoit's actions, he believes it is the leading cause.

 

"We think these changes are not due to steroids," Bailes said. "That has never really been studied, but it's never been in the medical literature or any research that shows steroids do this to the brain. These changes [in the brain] were found in the 1920s before steroids were even invented."

 

For Michael Benoit and the family, these test results provide a small amount of comfort.

 

"Bascially, once the findings came out and I had the opportunity to talk to the doctors, we certainly had an understanding of what could have contributed to the tragedy that took place that day," Michael said.

 

The message Michael would like Benoit's surviving children to take away is that "their dad loved [them] dearly and what happened wasn't his fault."

[haws bah gawd 0]

I don't want to show sympathy for him. Murder is murder. However, It's good to know he actually had something wrong with him, and he didn't just snap for no reason.

[Nate 0]

http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3560015&page=1

 

Benoit's Brain Showed Severe Damage From Multiple Concussions, Doctor and Dad Say

Researchers Say Test Results on the Pro Wrestler's Brain May Help Explain His Suicide, Murder of Son and Wife

 

Sept. 5, 2007 —

 

The family of Chris Benoit has been searching for answers since late June, when the professional wrestler killed his wife, 7-year-old son and then himself.

 

At the crime scene, police found anabolic steroids prompting many to suspect that "roid rage" had accounted for Benoit's behavior, which his family found out of character for the 40-year-old.

 

His family now believes that new test results on Benoit's brain explain his vicious actions.

 

The tests, conducted by Julian Bailes of the Sports Legacy Institute, show that Benoit's brain was so severely damaged it resembled the brain of an 85-year-old Alzheimer's patient.

 

Bailes and his research team say that this damage was the result of a lifetime of chronic concussions and head trauma suffered while Benoit was in the wrestling ring.

 

Benoit's father, Michael Benoit, is speaking out in order to warn other athletes, both professional and student.

 

Dementia Caused by Multiple Concussions, Doctor Says

 

After hearing the news that his son had murdered his 7-year-old son, Daniel, and wife Nancy and then killed himself, Michael Benoit struggled to understand how it could have happened.

 

Michael says Benoit was a "kind and gentle" man who volunteered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and visited U.S. troops overseas in Iraq.

 

"First we needed an understanding. The person that did this is not the man we know and love," Michael said today on "Good Morning America."

 

After the suicide and murders, Michael was contacted by a former wrestler, who suggested he investigate whether years of trauma to Benoit's brain could have contributed to his actions.

 

"I was grasping for anything," Michael told ABC News' Bob Woodruff. "The world was very black. I mean, we didn't even know how to deal with this."

 

So Michael turned over part of his son's brain to Bailes, the head of neurosurgery at West Virginia University and former Pittsburgh Steelers team physician.

 

Bailes and his research team had also analyzed the brains of former NFL players such as Andre Waters and Terry Long, who both committed suicide. Bailes and his colleagues theorize that repeated concussions can lead to dementia, which can contribute to severe behavioral problems.

 

"There is a constant theme in the failure of their personal lives, their business lives, depression and then ultimately suicide," Bailes said.

 

Similar Brain Damage Found in Other Athletes

 

Bailes and his research team took samples from Benoit's brain postmortem and compared these microscopic brain scans to those of a healthy brain.

 

They found that Benoit's brain showed an advanced form of dementia that appears on the brain scan as brown clumps or tangles. These brown spots are actually dead brain cells, killed off as a result of head trauma, said Bailes.

 

In Benoit's case, the damage was found in every section of the brain: all four lobes and deep into the brain stem.

 

"It was extensive throughout Chris' brain," Bailes said. "This is something you should never see in a 40-year-old."

 

The damage is proof, Bailes said, that Benoit suffered multiple, probably chronic, concussions over the course of many years.

 

Benoit, in fact, told friends he had suffered "more concussions than he could count."

 

Benoit's brain showed the same kind of damage Bailes and his team found in four retired NFL players who also suffered multiple concussions and later sank into deep depressions and harmed themselves or others.

 

Perhaps most disturbing, a person doesn't need to have sustained dozens of concussions to see problems later in life.

 

"Our research shows that three concussions may be the threshold for lasting damage," Bailes said.

 

This kind of brain damage isn't new to athletes, but doctors and researchers are starting to understand it better. As far back as the 1920s, career boxers were diagnosed with "punch drunk syndrome," which is now known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

 

Bailes said that while he can't be certain that the brain damage caused Benoit's actions, he believes it is the leading cause.

 

"We think these changes are not due to steroids," Bailes said. "That has never really been studied, but it's never been in the medical literature or any research that shows steroids do this to the brain. These changes [in the brain] were found in the 1920s before steroids were even invented."

 

For Michael Benoit and the family, these test results provide a small amount of comfort.

 

"Bascially, once the findings came out and I had the opportunity to talk to the doctors, we certainly had an understanding of what could have contributed to the tragedy that took place that day," Michael said.

 

The message Michael would like Benoit's surviving children to take away is that "their dad loved [them] dearly and what happened wasn't his fault."

 

like someone said murder is murder, but its good to know something wasnt right in his head, now the question is does Congress really have a case considering this had very little to do with steroids

 

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

With the DA bust in Albany, they have a case about the HGH used in wrestling. Plus, since Benoit died, a lot of wrestlers have admitted to taking steroids.

[Bix 0]

The steroid issue is far, far beyond Benoit now, so this has no bearing on that specifically, but it could make things MUCH worse for WWE.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

With that report on how Benoit's head is, I'd HATE to hear about what Mick Foley's brain tissue is like.

[Guest shoryuken007]

Steroids are still an obviously huge (lol, "huge," because of the muscles, amirite?) problem in wrestling, but I don't see how this doesn't take some of the heat off the fire. The media will likely try to ignore it, but there'll be legit doctor types out there now saying that it was likely the concussions that caused Benoit to do what he did.

 

Count me in the camp that doesn't see this as an excuse for Benoit's actions per se, but at least takes some solace in knowing he wasn't in his right mind.

 

Also, maybe this will bring about other changes in wrestling? Look at what HHH did to Umaga Monday night. Chair after chair, unprotected, to the head. Maybe we should cut down on that sort of thing.

[Bix 0]

Also, read the article closely-it doesn't absolve steroids of any responsibility in Benoit's mental deterioration, it just states that they had nothing to do with the physical damage they found.

[LJSexay 0]

I'm glad this was revealed. We can talk about how it doesn't excuse murder, but at the end of the day, it does excuse his erratic behavior. Looks like Chris Nowinski got his wish, and we now have a better understanding of what years of extreme physical abuse to the head can do to the brain. It doesn't just kill off the individual.

[Bix 0]

http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/h...t.asp?aID=20635

 

9/5/2007 11:42:00 AM

 

Brain examination finds Benoit with massive damage

 

by Dave Meltzer

 

[email protected]

 

The results of a brain examination of Chris Benoit found significant damage from both repeated concussions and sub-concussive blows that may have played a part in his killing of himself, his wife and son in late June.

 

Dr. Julian Bailes of the Department of Neurosurgery at West Virginia University of Dr. Robert Cantu, the Chief of Neurosurgery Service and Director of Sports Medicine at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA, presented their findings at a press conference this morning in New York. Also speaking were Chris' father Michael Benoit, and Benoit family lawyer Cary Ichter of Atlanta.

 

Cantu noted that out of the five athletes they have diagnosed with similar problems, including football stars Andre Waters, Terry Long and Mike Webster, the former two of whom committed suicide at a young age, that Benoit's brain showed the highest level of Tao protiens, indicating damage.

 

"Chris had, by far, the greatest amount of brain damage of the five," Cantu said.

 

Bailes said the level of damage was enough to explain the suicide and homicides

 

Neither Michael Benoit nor Ichter would comment on potential litigation. Ichter said the family is still in mourning and has given no thought about, "what steps are appropriate in the legal arena."

 

The only hint came in a statement by Michael Benoit who said he worked for a company where the top priority was the health and safety of its workers, and only wished his son had worked for a company with those same priorities.

 

Bailes and Cantu are the leading doctors in the Sports Legacy Institute, which became an official charitable corporation in June. The president of SLI is former WWE wrestler Chris Nowinski, who was not present at the press conference. Nowinski contacted Michael Benoit for the rights to examine Chris' brain. The WWE was not consulted or made aware of any of these findings ahead of time.

 

In questioning, the doctors downplayed the role of steroids in the case, but couldn't rule it out, only saying there is no medical evidence long-term steroid use causes the damage to the brain Chris Benoit had.

 

They portrayed the brain examination as the only tangible evidence that has come to light to explain why Chris Benoit may have done what he did, They noted his level of damage would lead to cognitive impairment, major depression and heightened aggression.

 

Michael Benoit also noted he had read Chris' diary and said it gave the impression of an extremely disturbed person, but that in his limited contact with Chris, a few minute phone call every week or two, he had no indication anything was wrong.

 

And from ABC News (re-uploaded to ImageShack in case the link goes bad):

 

Julian Bailes of the Sports Legacy Institute showed an image from a healthy brain versus Chris Benoit's brain, which showed brown spots indicating signs of cell death, similar to what an Alzheimer patient's brain might look like.