Authorities: Benoit murdered wife, son before taking own life

~ The murder-suicide apparently took place over the course of a couple days.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. -- Pro wrestler Chris Benoit strangled his wife, suffocated his 7-year-old son and placed a Bible next to their bodies before hanging himself with the pulley of a weightlifting machine, authorities said Tuesday.

Investigators found prescription anabolic steroids in the house and want to know whether the muscle man was unhinged by the drugs, which can cause paranoia, depression and explosive outbursts known as "roid rage."

Authorities offered no motive for the killings, which were spread out over a weekend, and would not discuss Benoit's motive or state of mind. No suicide note was found.

"I'm baffled about why anybody would kill a 7-year-old," District Attorney Scott Ballard said. "I don't think we'll ever be able wrap our head around that."

Crime scene tape blocks the gate to professional wrestler Chris Benoit's home in Fayetteville, Ga., Tuesday, June 26, 2007. Police found Benoit and his wife and young son dead in the house from what they believes was a murder suicide. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Benoit, a Montreal native whose nickname was "The Canadian Crippler," was one of the stars of the WWE wrestling circuit and was known for his wholesome family man image. His wife, Nancy, was a wrestling stage manager who worked under the name "Woman.

Nancy Benoit filed for a divorce in 2003, saying the couple's three-year marriage was irrevocably broken and alleging "cruel treatment."

She later dropped the complaint, as well as a request for a restraining order in which she charged that the 5-foot-10, 220-pound Benoit had threatened her and had broken furniture in their home.

The bodies were found Monday afternoon in three rooms of the house, off a gravel road.

Benoit's wife, 43, was killed Friday in an upstairs family room. The son, Daniel, was probably killed late Saturday or early Sunday, the body found in his bed, Ballard said.

Benoit, 40, apparently killed himself several hours and as long as a day later, Ballard said.