The Rogers family of Hampton made a pilgrimage Wednesday afternoon to the house of Chris Benoit. Pictured bottom is a note from a fan. Photo/John Thompson.

Friend recalls wrestler, wife as 'dear friends'

Chris Benoit, the famous professional wrestler
who killed his wife, Nancy, and 7-year-old son Daniel last weekend, was a quiet figure in Fayette County, but a few local citizens had the opportunity to interact with him, and some even developed a friendship with the grappler.

James Robison, a manager at Partner’s Pizza in Peachtree City, met Benoit seven years ago at World Gym in Peachtree City, and the two eventually became good friends.

“When I met him, I didn’t know what he did,” Robison said. “Over a period of time, after working out and hanging out with Chris in Peachtree City, we became friends. Every Fourth of July, we [Benoit’s family and I] got together and watched the fireworks in Peachtree City. We did that for about five years in a row. I talked to Nancy the beginning of last week, and I told her to keep the Fourth of July open on her calendar.”

Robison also spoke with Benoit last week.

“I talked to him on Thursday,” Robison said. “It was our typical ‘How you doing, just checking in, wanting to say hey’ conversation. I’ve analyzed that conversation over and over, and I cannot think of anything that was out of the ordinary.”

Robison is having a difficult time getting over the fact that Benoit committed such a horrific crime.

“When I heard about the whole situation, my first impression was I thought for sure someone had broken into their house and killed them. He was too nice of a guy. Chris and Nancy were dear friends, and their son was one of the nicest young men I know, which reflects on the parents.”

Robison said Benoit enjoyed living in Peachtree City.

“He liked Peachtree City due to the convenience of the airport, the security and safety of living in the area,” Robison said.

Peachtree City resident Michael Thompson met Benoit in 2003 at the now-defunct Gold’s Gym off Highway 74 in Peachtree City.

“I struck up a conversation with him about his neck injury [Benoit ruptured a disk that fragmented into his spinal column in 2001],” Thompson said. “He had been out for a year, and I saw him wrestle in his comeback match. I told him he didn’t miss a beat. We would exchange pleasantries from that point on.

“I saw him often at the gym. He worked out for literally four hours there.”

Benoit embraced the secluded life he was afforded in Peachtree City, Thompson said.

“A lot of people wouldn’t approach him,” Thompson said. “They didn’t know who he was. One of the reasons he lived in Peachtree City was because it was a place where he could get away.

"He found solace and anonymity in Peachtree City. He could go to restaurants and not be noticed. He didn’t have many friends in Peachtree City.”

Thompson also would see Benoit and his family doing what the average family in Peachtree City enjoys — strolling along the city’s golf cart paths. He didn’t sense any turmoil when he saw Benoit with his family.

“I would see him walking with his son and wife on the golf cart path near their home in the Timberlake Subdivision in Peachtree City. They seemed like a normal, suburban family. When Chris’ wife field for divorce in 2003, I was shocked.”

One aspect of the Benoit family’s life that stood out to Thompson, though, was how overprotective Benoit and his wife were of their child, Daniel.

“They were very guarded about their son,” Thompson said. “You would always see them in restaurants with their kid. It’s like they didn’t want their kid to be anywhere away from them.”

Thompson said Benoit’s public persona was the same as the character he portrayed in the wrestling ring.

“Chris Benoit, the ‘Rapid Wolverine’ character you saw on television, that’s who Chris was,” Thompson said.

Thompson said the accomplishment of which Benoit was proudest was winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in 2004.

“Chris said that was the crowning achievement of his wrestling career,” Thompson said.

Thompson still is stunned that Benoit took his own life and the lives of his wife and child.

“It’s shocking,” Thompson said. “This runs counter to everything that was known about Chris the person. Nobody knew this dark side existed.”

Eddie McDonald, a personal trainer at World Gym in Peachtree City, didn’t know Benoit personally, but he did see Benoit quite often at the gym at which he works.

“Benoit was a member of the gym for the past several years,” McDonald said. “He was such a recluse. He checked into the gym, made a tanning appointment, worked out, tanned and checked out. He didn’t speak to anybody. He might say ‘hi,’ but you would be lucky if he even said that to you. You would literally be two feet away from him, and basically he didn’t say anything to anybody.

“People knew who he was. He was pretty noticeable because he was bigger than the normal guy. He was a hoss.”

Rev. Kenneth Brown, executive pastor of First Baptist Church, where Daniel Benoit attended kindergarten, knew the Benoit family well. He wouldn’t return any phone calls, but he did, however, issue a press release addressing the death of Benoit’s son:

“Daniel was a well-liked student at First Baptist Kindergarten by both students and teachers. He had a wonderful school year and completed our kindergarten program. His parents were supportive of his school activities. Our observations were of a caring, loving family.

“Everyone involved in our school is grieved at this unanticipated tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to the remaining family and friends. In conjunction with the ministerial staff of First Baptist Church, we are providing a time for parents of children attending our school to meet together, share their grief, talk with counselors, and receive resources to help their children. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will meet our needs and First Baptist Church is here to help provide a foundation of healing for our community.”

On Wednesday afternoon, a small group of fans gathered outside of Benoit’s estate on Green Meadow Lane. As a searing Georgia late afternoon sun blazed, the Rogers family from Hampton stared at the house with a look of shock and sadness in their eyes.

“I just can’t believe it,” said 16-year-old Jimmy Rogers.

Other fans stopped by to take photos of the still-serene scene and left notes, teddy bears and wrestling figurines for 7-year-old Daniel.

-Coweta Editor John Thompson contributed to this article.

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