AP: Brain Damage May Have Caused Wrestler Chris Benoit to Kill Family, Doctor Says

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

AP: ATLANTA — A doctor who examined brain matter from former pro wrestler Chris Benoit is saying the wrestler had brain damage from multiple concussions that was consistent with what’s seen in Alzheimer’s patients.

Dr. Julian Bailes told ABC’s Good Morning America that the “striking and maybe shocking” damage may have been a leading cause for Benoit killing his wife, children and himself at their Atlanta-area home in June.

Bailes showed the show’s hosts images of a healthy brain and of part of Benoit’s brain — which had large brown spots he said were dead brain cells and their connecting tissue. He said such damage is not caused by steroid use.