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| June 26, 2007 More Details Surfacing from WWE Regarding Benoit Case; McMahon Addresses Fans WWE is reporting that they were contacted by Chris Benoit on Saturday, who told them he could not be at the show scheduled for Beaumont, TX, that night because his wife and son were ill. Benoit is believed to have killed his wife Nancy the previous day or night, and his son Daniel at some point early Saturday morning. It was not specified as to what time Benoit contacted the company. His flight from Atlanta to Beaumont was then re-booked by WWE personnel for him to fly into Houston, TX, instead on Sunday. When WWE personnel attempted to contact Benoit and advise him of the revised itinerary, they were unsuccessful in reaching him. On Sunday night, the following text messages were sent from Benoit to unnamed recipients: 1) from Chris’ cell phone to two recipients at 3:53 AM ET Sunday – “My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane, Fayetteville, Georgia. 30215”; 2) from Chris’ cell phone to two recipients at 3:53 AM ET Sunday – “The dogs are in the enclosed pool area. Garage side door is open.”; 3) from Nancy’s cell phone to two recipients at 3:54 AM ET Sunday – “My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane, Fayetteville, Georgia. 30215”; 4) from Nancy’s cell phone to two recipients at 3:55 AM ET Sunday – “My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane, Fayetteville, Georgia. 30215”; and 5) from Nancy’s cell phone to two recipients at 3:58 AM ET Sunday – “My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane, Fayetteville, Georgia. 30215”. WWE is reporting they attempted several times Sunday to reach Benoit at his home, as well as local area hospitals. It would be 12:30 PM ET Monday before the recipients of the text messages alerted WWE officials of the messages they had received. Within fifteen minutes, WWE states they contacted the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, requesting a welfare check on Benoit’s home. Around 4:00 PM ET, Fayette County law enforcement notified WWE of their discovery of three deceased individuals inside the home of Chris Benoit. It was reiterated that the home had been designated as a major crime scene. WWE reports the decision to cancel the live event in Corpus Christi, TX, Monday night was made by 5:00 PM ET, and a tribute show was quickly put together for broadcast, to keep with company policy. In a taped segment to lead off the live broadcast of ECW from San Antonio, TX, tonight, Vince McMahon stopped short of apologizing for the three-hour tribute, alluding to the fact that at the time of the broadcast, the facts of the case had not been made public. Click here for the transcript and video of McMahon's segment. |