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By Wade Keller, Torch editor

In PWTorch Newsletter #997/998, during a Torch Talk with Shawn Daivari, I said in a question to Daivari: "Jerry McDevitt said [Benoit] did not and could not have had steroids in his system because he was tested two months before he died and was clean."

That attribution is incorrect and PWTorch retracts it and apologizes for the error.

Keller Analysis: A press release issued June 26 - a press release which McDevitt said on MSNBC he "largely drafted" and said was "somewhat mischaracterized" in the media - stated: "Steroids were not, and could not, be related to the cause of death (asphyxiation)." What's confusing is that the press release was meant to convey what WWE contended authorities said in the press conference earlier that day, rather than being an assertion they were coming up with on their own. MSNBC's Dan Abrams read it to McDevitt on MSNBC believing WWE had meant to assert that point, when in actuality they were interpretting what authorities said earlier that day in a press conference.

For the record, here is the complete press release:

STAMFORD, 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.

The following is video of the press conference the above WWE press release apparently refers to: YOU TUBE LINK

During the referenced press conference, Lt. Tommy Pope was asked whether steroids had anything to do with the deaths of the Benoit family. He said: "Not necessarily directly related to the cause of death; the cause of death was asphyxiation for all three." On a follow up question, when asked if roid rage was involved, he said they were not able to speak to Benoit's state of mind at the time. Det. Scott Ballard was asked about steroids being found in the house. He confirmed they were, but said he couldn't confirm Benoit was on them. There were no other references to or connections made or questions asked regarding steroids in that press conference.


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