Benoit’s Doctor under Scrutiny

Dr. Phil Astin was Chris Benoit’s long time friend and personal physician. He also prescribed testosterone for Benoit, who came to see him on the very day it is believed that he killed his wife. Now Dr. Phil is fighting federal charges that he improperly prescribing painkillers and other drugs to two patients other than Benoit in 2004 and 2005 identified only by the initials O.G. and M.J. They are believed to be Oscar Gutierrez (Rey Mysterio) and Mark Jindrak. Other wrestlers named in the search warrant include Lawrence Pfohl (Lex Luger), Marcus “Buff” Bagwell, Robert Howard (Bob Holly). He was released on $125,000 bond, but is restricted to his home except in limited circumstances.

Federal agents have expanded their investigation to include former patients and other patients of his who have died. They have now announced that they plan to file more charges against Dr. Astin after further review of documents and computer records seized by federal drug agents. An affidavit by a federal Drug Enforcement Administration agent that was part of a warrant to search Dr. Phil Astin’s west Georgia office for a third time said investigators on Tuesday seized 68 boxes of documents, including patient records and billing statements. The records “will be relevant and material to this ongoing investigation,” the affidavit said, without elaborating. A sheriff’s official previously said that Astin also is being investigated in the February 2006 death of another wrestler, Michael Durham.

Astin’s lawyer, Manny Arora, said he wasn’t aware of the latest search of Astin’s office, but wasn’t surprised by it either:

“It’s their job to look through everything,” Arora said. “I want them to look through everything, so if there is an acquittal in this case there will be no more doubt about anything that Dr. Astin’s done.”

Authorities found anabolic steroids in Benoit’s home. Some experts believe steroids can cause paranoia, depression and violent outbursts known as “roid rage.” Another court affidavit said Astin prescribed a 10-month supply of anabolic steroids to Benoit every three to four weeks between May 2006 and May 2007.

Toxicology tests have been conducted on Benoit’s body to determine if steroids or other drugs were present. Blood-alcohol tests also were conducted on his body, and chemical tests were conducted on the bodies of the wife and son. Some of the tests have been completed, but authorities are keeping the results secret until all the tests are complete.