The wrestling world and beyond were left reeling in 2007 following the shocking murder-suicide committed by WWE star Chris Benoit.
The bodies of the 40-year-old former world champion wrestler, his wife Nancy, 43, and their seven-year-old son Daniel were found in their expansive Georgia mansion. In a chilling turn of events, Benoit strangled his wife, smothered his son, and then ended his own life.
For years, both WWE fans and investigators have been haunted by one question - how could a reserved and disciplined professional athlete commit such a horrific act?
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Increasingly, experts believe the answer may be found in his damaged brain. Post-mortem examinations of Benoit's brain revealed severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition associated with repeated head injuries.
Neurologists reported that his brain was akin to that of an 80-year-old Alzheimer's patient. CTE can lead to explosive anger, paranoia, depression, and impulsive behaviour, reports the Mirror.
Benoit spent over two decades in the ring, enduring blows to the head that most people would not survive. Friends remember him as someone who had become distant, emotionally unstable, and at times alarmingly withdrawn.
Text messages sent in the days leading up to the tragedy depicted a state of confusion and disconnection, symptoms that experts say align with severe brain trauma. However, specialists are cautious to note that CTE alone does not necessarily result in violent behaviour.
Millions suffer head injuries without causing harm to others. In Benoit's case, it may have worn away the mental barriers that typically stop catastrophic urges.
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Chilling turn of events.
Following a series of unsettling text messages sent by Benoit to his mates, police raced to his Atlanta residence. Nancy's body was discovered wrapped in a blanket with a Bible positioned next to her, and her wounds indicated that he had pressed a knee into her back whilst pulling a cord around her neck.
Authorities said there were no signs of a struggle. Toxicology reports showed alcohol in her system, but it remained uncertain whether it was consumed before death or a result of decomposition.
Daniel, Benoit's third child, was discovered in his bedroom, also with a Bible beside him. Horrifically, he had been suffocated and had internal injuries to the throat area, but displayed no external bruising.
Post-mortem reports suggested he had been drugged with Xanax and was unconscious when he died. At the time, it was later claimed that Daniel had the genetic disorder Fragile X Syndrome.
Some have suggested that this contributed to tensions within the Benoit household.
Disturbingly, investigators noted marks on Daniel's arms suggesting he had been given human growth hormone (HGH) by his father, who reportedly believed his son was too small. WWE colleague and close friend Chris Jericho later commented that, based on his own research, the symptoms of Fragile X Syndrome "fit Daniel to a tee, all across the board."
Following the tragedy, the wrestling industry was compelled to face the long-term consequences of head trauma, resulting in stricter concussion protocols and a significant decrease in hazardous moves.