Benoit Family Suit Against Hustler Dismissed

ATLANTA — a lawsuit filed against Hustler Magazine by the family of the late Nancy Benoit has been dismissed by a U.S. District Court.

U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Thrash ruled that photographer Mark Samansky did not violate the privacy of Benoit, a former professional wrestling personality who was killed by her husband, wrestler Chris Benoit, in late June 2007. Chris Benoit also killed the couple's 7-year-old son at the family’s Fayetetteville, Ga., home before taking his own life.

Maureen Toffoloni, Nancy’s Benoit’s mother and the administrator of her estate, had sought punitive damages from Hustler after it published nude photos Samansky took of her daughter in 1983 in its March 2008 issue.

Toffoloni's suit contended that Nancy Benoit never gave permission for the photos to be used for a “pornographic” magazine whose content includes “graphic and sexual photographs of nude women.”

James Daus, who was Benoit's husband at the time, testified in an affidavit that he had been present when his wife, then an aspiring model, posed for still photographs and a videotape in the summer of 1983.

Thrash sided with Hustler when it cited freedom of the press and called Nancy Benoit’s death “a legitimate matter of public interest and concern."

Thrash also wrote in his opinion, “The fact that the Court personally views publication of the photographs to be offensive and distasteful is not determinative.”

The Toffoloni family, who live in Daytona Beach, Fla., are still considering a wrongful-death suit against World Wrestling Entertainment, which employed Chris Benoit at the time of his death.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

ProDx Health Introduces 'Assured MoFi ID' Testing Program

ProDx Health has introduced its new Assured MoFi ID Program for testing.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult, Could Face Override

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Eye of Love Expands 'Bloom' Collection

Eye of Love has introduced two new perfume oils from its Bloom collection.

Nobü Adds to 'Essentials' Collection

Nobü is expanding its Essentials collection with three new pleasure products.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Like a Kitten to Release 'Adventure Collection'

Pleasure brand Like a Kitten has announced that it will debut its new Adventure Collection on July 15.

Full Circle Debuts New Bullet Vibes

Pleasure brand Full Circle has introduced a new range of bullet vibrators.

Magic Silk Debuts 'Butterfly Fantasies' Collection

Magic Silk has introduced its new Butterfly Fantasies line of intimate wear.

Orion Debuts 'Vipepad' Ride-On Vibrator

Orion Wholesale has introduced the latest edition of its Vibepad ride-on vibrator.

Xgen's Dr. Mindy DeSeta Spotlighted on CBS News

CBS News has spotlighted Xgen Products resident sex therapist Dr. Mindy DeSeta on its Miami and West Palm Beach affiliate stations.

Show More