(27 Jun 2007) HEADLINE: Wrestler's calls, text messages to coworkers
CAPTION: Co-workers received a series of eerie phone calls and text messages from WWE wrestler Chris Benoit, during the time authorities say he murdered his wife and young son, before taking his own life. (June 27)
[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]
((TRACK))
((VO of exterior of home, then WWE FILE of Benoit.))
FROM INSIDE HIS HOME, WITH THE DEAD BODIES OF HIS WIFE AND LATER HIS SON NEARBY, W-W-E STAR CHRIS BENOIT COMMUNICATED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES WITH CO-WORKERS.
DETAILS OF PHONE CONVERSATIONS, VOICEMAILS AND TEXT MESSAGES WERE RELEASED BY WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT .
((GFX, then WWE FILE of Benoit))
AROUND 3-30 SATURDAY AFTERNOON, BENOIT TOLD A CO-WORKER BY PHONE THAT HE OVERSLEPT AND WOULD BE LATE TO THAT NIGHT'S W-W-E EVENT IN BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
THE CO-WORKER, WHO THE W-W-E DID NOT NAME, SAID BENOIT SAID 'I LOVE YOU,' AND SOUNDED GROGGY.
((GFX, then WWE FILE of Benoit))
MINUTES LATER, ANOTHER PHONE CONVERSATION.
BENOIT'S STORY CHANGED.
NOW, HE SAID HIS WIFE AND SON WERE SICK WITH FOOD POISONING.
((GFX, then WWE FILE of Benoit))
AROUND 4-30, ANOTHER CO-WORKER CALLED BENOIT TO CHECK IN.
THE WRESTLER SAID HIS WIFE WAS THROWING UP BLOOD.
BUT, BY THIS TIME, AUTHORITES SAY, NANCY BENOIT WAS DEAD, STRANGLED BY HER HUSBAND SOME 24 HOURS EARLIER.
((WWE FILE of Benoit))
THERE WERE THREE MORE PHONE CALLS BETWEEN BENOIT AND W-W-E'S TALENT RELATIONS DEPARTMENT.
THE COMPANY SAYS A REPRESENTATIVE TOLD THE WRESTLER TO SKIP THE BEAUMONT EVENT AND CATCH UP WITH THE TOUR IN HOUSTON ON SUNDAY.
((VO of exterior of home.))
ABOUT NINE HOURS LATER, JUST BEFORE 4 A-M ON SUNDAY MORNING, BENOIT SENT A SERIES OF TEXT MESSAGES TO THE SAME CO-WORKERS HE SPOKE WITH BY PHONE.
FOUR OF THE MESSAGES LISTED ONLY BENOIT'S HOME ADDRESS.
A FIFTH READ 'THE DOGS ARE IN THE ENCLOSED POOL AREA. GARAGE SIDE DOOR IS OPEN.'
((WWE FILE of Benoit))
CO-WORKERS TRIED TO REACH BENOIT THROUGHOUT THE DAY ON SUNDAY.
ON MONDAY, THEY ALERTED W-W-E OFFICIALS, WHO CALLED THE FAYETTE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
JB, THE A-P, ATLANTA.
___ ___, The Associated Press.
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