Steve McNair death ruled a murder-suicide
The Nashville police said Wednesday that Steve McNair was murdered by his girlfriend, Sahel Kazemi, who used the same gun to kill herself.
Jealousy drove Steve McNair's 20-year-old girlfriend to shoot the former star NFL quarterback to death while he slept and then to kill herself, the Nashville police chief said on Wednesday.
Sahel Kazemi shot McNair, 36, in the head while he dozed on the couch of his condominium in the early hours of Saturday, then pumped three more bullets into his head and body, police said.
She then sat down beside him and shot herself in the head, apparently intending to fall into his lap. Her body later slid to the floor of McNair's shared rented condominium.
Serpas said evidence at the scene and forensic tests showed that all five bullets were fired from Kazemi’s gun and showed gunpowder residue on her hands.
He said associates of Kazemi’s told investigators she was distraught recently. Kazemi apparently believed McNair was having a relationship with another woman and told a co-worker at Dave & Buster’s restaurant Friday night that she was considering suicide, Serpas said.
“She told friends her life was so messed up that she was going to end it all,” Serpas said. “She believed her relationship with Mr. McNair was unraveling. There is evidence she was spinning out of control.”
Serpas said Kazemi’s friends told investigators she had apparently seen another woman recently leaving the condo McNair leased with a friend and followed her. She also had financial problems, including a roommate who was going to move out and leave her with a higher rent payment.
Kazemi, who came from an immigrant Iranian family, bought a gun for $100 after concluding McNair, who was married with four sons, had a new girlfriend, Serpas said.
Her relatives have said she believed McNair planned to divorce his wife and marry her, though no divorce papers were ever filed. Police said Kazemi was also worried about money.
McNair did extensive charity work in Nashville, having played most of his 13 seasons in the NFL with the hometown Tennessee Titans and its predecessor team, the Houston Oilers.
He had the reputation of being a fearless quarterback who overcame many painful injuries. He led the Titans to the Super Bowl in 2000 but lost the game to the St. Louis Rams, and was the NFL's co-MVP in 2003.
McNair ended his career with the Baltimore Ravens and retired after the 2007 season.
A memorial service was scheduled for Thursday at Nashville's LP Field, with burial in McNair's native Mississippi.
Jealousy drove Steve McNair's 20-year-old girlfriend to shoot the former star NFL quarterback to death while he slept and then to kill herself, the Nashville police chief said on Wednesday.
Sahel Kazemi shot McNair, 36, in the head while he dozed on the couch of his condominium in the early hours of Saturday, then pumped three more bullets into his head and body, police said.
She then sat down beside him and shot herself in the head, apparently intending to fall into his lap. Her body later slid to the floor of McNair's shared rented condominium.
Serpas said evidence at the scene and forensic tests showed that all five bullets were fired from Kazemi’s gun and showed gunpowder residue on her hands.
He said associates of Kazemi’s told investigators she was distraught recently. Kazemi apparently believed McNair was having a relationship with another woman and told a co-worker at Dave & Buster’s restaurant Friday night that she was considering suicide, Serpas said.
“She told friends her life was so messed up that she was going to end it all,” Serpas said. “She believed her relationship with Mr. McNair was unraveling. There is evidence she was spinning out of control.”
Serpas said Kazemi’s friends told investigators she had apparently seen another woman recently leaving the condo McNair leased with a friend and followed her. She also had financial problems, including a roommate who was going to move out and leave her with a higher rent payment.
Kazemi, who came from an immigrant Iranian family, bought a gun for $100 after concluding McNair, who was married with four sons, had a new girlfriend, Serpas said.
Her relatives have said she believed McNair planned to divorce his wife and marry her, though no divorce papers were ever filed. Police said Kazemi was also worried about money.
McNair did extensive charity work in Nashville, having played most of his 13 seasons in the NFL with the hometown Tennessee Titans and its predecessor team, the Houston Oilers.
He had the reputation of being a fearless quarterback who overcame many painful injuries. He led the Titans to the Super Bowl in 2000 but lost the game to the St. Louis Rams, and was the NFL's co-MVP in 2003.
McNair ended his career with the Baltimore Ravens and retired after the 2007 season.
A memorial service was scheduled for Thursday at Nashville's LP Field, with burial in McNair's native Mississippi.
Comments
Post a Comment