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6/26/07 1:58pm Central strangled his wife and smothered his son this weekend before hanging himself Monday in the weight room of his Georgia home, a law enforcement official close to the investigation told The Associated Press. Benoit, his wife and 7-year-old son were found dead Monday afternoon, and police later ruled the deaths a murder-suicide. Authorities refused to confirm the murder-suicide until evidence was examined by the state crime lab. Preliminary autopsy results are nearly complete and will be announced at a 3 p.m. press conference this afternoon, according to a spokesman for the Fayette County District Attorney's office. Additional toxicology reports, which could determine whether Benoit was using steroids at the time of his death, are expected to take at least two weeks. WAGA-TV initially reported that investigators believe the 40-year-old Benoit killed his wife, Nancy, and 7-year-old son, Daniel, before killing himself Monday. The bodies were found in three different rooms. World Wrestling Entertainment said on its Web site that the organization asked authorities 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 also announced that Benoit failed to appear at a Saturday live event in Beaumont, Texas, as well as the WWE's "Vengeance" event in Houston Sunday night, an absence attributed to a "family emergency." Authorities responding to the scene had a difficult time entering the Fayetteville home, WWE announced, because a pair of German Shepherds were left roaming on the property. The house is in a secluded neighborhood set back about 60 yards off a gravel road, surrounded by stacked stone wall and a double-iron gate. On Monday night, the house was dark except for a few outside lights. There was a police car in front, along with two uniformed officers. The WWE also reported that it was in possession of further information regarding the police investigation and the cause of death, but the Fayette County Sheriff's Department has requested that the pro wrestling organization not release additional details at this time. Lead investigator Lt. Tommy Pope of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department told The Associated Press the bodies were discovered about 2:30 p.m. Monday but refused to provide details about the crime scene. Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the details of the incident may "prove a little bizarre" to the public when released. A press conference is expected at some point in the afternoon. The Journal-Constitution also reported that Benoit and his wife went through a difficult period after their marriage in 2000. Nancy Benoit petitioned for protection against domestic abuse as part of a 2003 divorce filing -- describing her husband as a "threat." In May 2003, a judge granted a restraining order, but both were dismissed upon Nancy Benoit's request three months later. Benoit was a former world heavyweight and Intercontinental champion. He also held several tag-team titles during his career. "WWE extends its sincerest thoughts and prayers to the Benoit family's relatives and loved ones in this time of tragedy," the wrestling organization said in a statement on its Web site. The native of Canada maintained a home in metro Atlanta from the time he wrestled for the defunct World Championship Wrestling. The WWE canceled its live "Monday Night RAW" card in Corpus Christi, Texas, and USA Network aired a three-hour tribute to Benoit in place of the scheduled wrestling telecast. "My relationship with Chris has extended many years and I consider him a great friend," Carl DeMarco, the president of WWE Canada, said in a statement. "Chris was always first-class warm, friendly, caring and professional one of the best in our business." From another bulletin. Autopsies showed all three died of asphyxiation, Pope said. Benoit's wife, Nancy, was killed Friday in an upstairs family room, her feet and wrists were bound and there was blood under her head, indicating a possible struggle, Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard said. The son, Daniel, was likely killed late Saturday or early Sunday, the body found in his bed, Ballard said. Benoit apparently killed himself several hours and as long as a day later, Ballard said. His body was found in a downstairs weight room, his body found hanging from the pulley of a piece of exercise equipment. The prosecutor said he found it "bizarre" that the WWE wrestling star spread out the killings over a long weekend and appeared to remain in the house for up to a day with the bodies. "I'm baffled about why anybody would kill a 7-year-old," Ballard said. "I don't think we'll ever be able wrap our head around that." Earlier, a law enforcement official speaking on a condition of anonymity said Benoit strangled his wife and smothered his son. WWE® Shocked At Latest Developments In Benoit Tragedy, Concerned By Sensationalistic Reporting Written: June 26, 2007STAMFORD, Conn., June 26, 2007 – 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 Sheriff’s 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 Benoit’s 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