Chris Benoit’s doctor and Anna Nicole’s psychiatrist both claim to have been close friends with their deceased celebrity patients.  Criminal investigations are now underway to determine if these “good pals” were also to blame for their deaths.  

If the doctors’ actions did contribute to the deaths, then expect to have civil suits filed, as well.  Dannielynn’s guardian (i.e., Larry Burkhead) can sue for wrongful death based upon medical malpractice.  There’s a twist in the Benoit case:  state wrongful death statutes list who can sue for the wrongful death of another, and usually it’s limited to immediate family.   Georgia law will decide if any Benoit relatives can legally seek civil remedies.

I predict civil suits will be filed.  Why?

Last week, Chris Benoit’s doctor was indicted by a federal grand jury for illegal distribution of prescription drugs - including Xanex(alprazolam), Percocet (oxicodone), Adderal (amphetamine), and Lorcet(hydrocodone).  It’s a seven-count criminal indictment, involving seven prescriptions written to two patients.  It doesn’t include his patient, 2004 WWE champion Chris “The Canadian Crippler” Benoit. When Chris Benoit’s toxicology reports get in, new charges may well be added.  

Meanwhile, California authorities are investigating two of Anna Nicole Smith’s doctors.  The California Department of Justice is reportedly investigating her psychiatrist, specifically, for prescribing methadone to an 8-month pregnant Anna Nicole, as well as prescribing (click to see the dr’s fax) Dilaudid, Lorazepam, Soma, Delmane, Methadone, and Prexige shortly after Daniel’s death.  

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Chris Benoit killed his wife and seven year old son this past weekend, before taking his own life.  You’ve heard about this already — everyone wants to know why, and the details are leaking out, a drop here and a drop there. 

Today, authorities revealed that the wife had been bound: both her hands and her feet were tied up.  The boy was smothered to death.  And, there were Bibles left by each body.  Tomorrow, more horrific information will fill the media.  There’s probably a True Hollywood Story already in the works. 

What about that 2003 request for a protective order that Nancy Benoit made?  Divorce papers show that Chris Benoit was barred from the home, or from coming within 100 yards of his wife and son.   The order was effective until Nancy requested the Judge to dismiss the whole thing a few months later.   What about it?  Do these things ever help?

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