Delta News 1130 has posted an article revealing that Daniel Benoit suffered from Fragile X syndrome. Pam Winthrope, who was in contact with the wrestler a few years ago, said she might have some insight into the family. She said Benoit’s son had a genetic condition called Fragile X syndrome. Winthrope said she has experienced the condition first hand and knows how it can tear a family apart.
Fragile X syndrome is an inherited mental impairment. Pam’s 12-year-old son has the condition and in an effort to shed light on the syndrome, her husband called Chris Benoit about five years ago. She said, “We talked to him because I was trying to set up a support group in BC and in Canada, we only have a couple of them. My husband was struggling when we got diagnosed with our son, and Chris was struggling with his. They talked for a few minutes and then he said he didn’t want to be a public face for Fragile X, he just wanted to keep it really, really quiet.”
Winthrope said she couldn’t believe the news that Benoit had taken his life along with his wife and 7-year-old son. She added that families can be torn apart by the disease because it’s very difficult to find help and support.
