Results by Google
Home News 

Story

Lawyer: Benoit's Diary Shows Signs Of Depression, Dementia

Posted: 5:54 pm EDT September 13, 2007Updated: 10:24 am EDT September 14, 2007

Channel 2 Action News has learned exclusive details of the entries in wrestler Chris Benoit's diary.

His father's attorney believes the wrestler's writings show signs of dementia and depression years before Benoit killed his wife, child and himself.

The photocopied first page of the diary is inscribed, 'To Christopher from Nancy,' with the date November 25, 2005.

All the handwritten entries are addressed to Eddie Guerrero, a close wrestling friend of Benoit's, who died in 2005 of an enlarged heart.

"He was upset, very upset, about Eddie's death. He says in a number of places how much he loved Eddie and what dear friends they were. He also says at one point that, 'I will be with you soon,' so it appears as though he was having some thoughts about his own mortality," said Carry Ichter, Benoit's father's attorney.

The entries also speak of Benoit's love and admiration for his wife, Nancy, and son, Daniel -- both of whom he killed in the weekend of June 22.

He spoke of the exhaustion, drudgery and loneliness of the road, but did not describe abusing drugs.

"It's plain that he was depressed. It's plain that he was beginning to exhibit some of the signs of the dementia that's associated with the brain injuries he sustained because he talks in there about not being able to remember things," said Ichter. "Chris, at the end had become intensely paranoid, to the point that he would not take the same route to the airport on a consistent basis, to the point that he would not allow the family outside of the house."

The diary was found in the trash outside Benoit's Fayetteville home shortly after the deaths.

Ichter, who has known Benoit for years, is now representing his father in the legal process which will decide who is heir to Benoit's multi-million dollar estate -- his children from a prior marriage or the family of his wife, Nancy. They left no will.

More Headlines

2 Investigates

A startling new report suggests that many weather observation stations in the U.S. and Georgia are gathering inaccurate data. Tom Regan reports. Full Story ››
WEB EXTRA: Temperature Recording Stations

A Whistleblower 2 Investigation has found that scores -- probably hundreds of people -- charged with violent felonies are released from the Fulton County Jail without having to post bail. The county's chief superior court judge says the program is a huge success -- but even she acknowledges it was never intended for defendants charged with violent crimes. Channel 2's Richard Belcher has the story. Full Story ››
WEB EXTRA: Pretrial Release Program Documents


Every week, the roads of metro Atlanta are the scene of major tractor-trailer wrecks. Now, the parents of a college student killed by a speeding truck have launched a campaign to mandate speed limiting equipment on heavy trucks. Channel 2's Tom Regan recently talked with the family. Full Story ››
WEB EXTRA: RAW VIDEO: Truck Crashes Caught On Tape


In record numbers, foreign students flock to the U.S. in search of a great education. But Channel 2 has learned that more than 170,000 have broken the rules while here. That has led to dozens of arrests in Georgia alone and critics wonder if the government's tracking system is in trouble. Channel 2's Jodie Fleischer investigates. Full Story ››
Fake School Slipped Through Cracks For Years
WEB EXTRA: Student Visa Violators By School


If you're hurt in a collision with a MARTA bus -- be warned. Three quarters of the time, MARTA will fight before it pays. Getting MARTA to fix your car can also be a challenge. Channel 2's consumer investigator Jim Strickland found the evidence in MARTA's own files -- looking at more than 1,200 accidents over the last two years. Full Story ››
WEB EXTRA: MARTA Spreadsheet Detailing MVA Claims
WEB EXTRA RAW VIDEOS: Interview With MARTA CEO Dr. Beverly Scott | Interview With Attorney Who Represents Victim Of MARTA Collision