Junior Seau's Death Ruled Suicide: Autopsy Confirms Ex-NFL Star Died Of Gunshot Wound To Chest

By BERNIE WILSON and ELLIOT SPAGAT, Associated Press

SAN DIEGO -- Junior Seau's death has been ruled a suicide by the San Diego County medical examiner's office.

An autopsy Thursday confirmed that the former NFL linebacker died of a gunshot wound to the chest, the medical examiner's office said.

Officials said they were awaiting a decision by the family on whether to turn over Seau's brain to unidentified outside researchers for study.

Seau died Wednesday in his home in suburban Oceanside.

Police Chief Frank McCoy said Seau's girlfriend reported finding him unconscious with a gunshot wound to the chest and lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful. A gun was found near him, McCoy said. Police said no suicide note was found and they didn't immediately know who the gun was registered to.

Seau's ex-wife, Gina, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Seau sustained concussions during his 20-year career. She said she didn't know if the effects of concussions contributed to Seau's death. Seau starred with his hometown San Diego Chargers for 13 years before playing with the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots.

Seau's death follows the suicide last year of former Chicago Bears player Dave Duerson, who also shot himself in the chest.

Duerson's family has filed a wrongful death suit against the NFL, claiming the league didn't do enough to prevent or treat concussions that severely damaged Duerson's brain before he died in in February 2011.

Former Atlanta Falcons safety Ray Easterling, who had joined in a concussion-related lawsuit against the league - one of dozens filed in the last year - died last month at age 62. His wife has said he suffered from depression and dementia after taking years of hits.

Seau is not known to have been a plaintiff in the concussion litigation.

From our partners

• The 50 Worst Sports Movies - Bleacher Report
• 20 Reasons Baseball Is The Worst - Bleacher Report
• Sports Stars Of The '90s: Where Are They Now? - Bleacher Report

Comments

[Dana Terrell LCSW]

01:21 PM on 05/05/2012

We are grieving now from the suicide of Junior Seau, a private man who hid a lot of hurts. This may be macho, but it can also be fatal. I urge you, if you do this, to start sharing with trusted people. Their support can help you. And if you have a friend who does this, please read the following article that gives tips on how to talk to such a person. This way we can help others to recover from their hurts.

http://www.comprehensivetherapyapproach.com/index.php/articles-and-resources/9-emdr-articles/145-nfl-pro-junior-seau-suicide-and-depression

[ScorpioTop]

05:28 PM on 05/05/2012

The best way to avoid tragedies like this is not to have a gun in the home. A moment of desperation can lead to a life ending event when a gun is easily accessible.

[Dana Terrell LCSW]

01:13 PM on 05/05/2012

I am a therapist and wrote an article about what I hope we can learn from Junior Seau's suicide. If you want to read it, here is the link:

http://www.comprehensivetherapyapproach.com/index.php/articles-and-resources/9-emdr-articles/145-nfl-pro-junior-seau-suicide-and-depression

Many, many people live with depression, pain, brain injuries (including TBI), anxiety, career loss and some do not tell many about it. Their symptoms usually get much worse from that privacy, and from not getting treatment. There is effective treatment for the issues Junior dealt with. I've seen many people recover.

Yes, brain injury is one of the hardest. But improvement is available if a person is open to looking for it.

[Bruckley]

01:34 PM on 05/04/2012

thank you captain obvious

[ajp49]

01:04 PM on 05/04/2012

This lost of this special human-being that happen to play NFL Football is sad! We need to know if the head injuries had contributed in any way to this tragic death. May young Junior has gone to be with his maker, may he rest in peace and his family find solace in knowing he was loved and respected because he give so much to others in his community while he was with us.

[kegworker13]

12:59 PM on 05/04/2012

His poor mother.

[zombywulf]

12:51 PM on 05/04/2012

suicide by NFL

[ScorpioTop]

05:29 PM on 05/05/2012

Another suicide by gun use, 15,000 plus Americans die this way yearly.

[Dana Terrell LCSW]

07:00 PM on 05/05/2012

Yes, the majority who suicide by gun are men. And most men do not discuss their plans, they just do them. That is why it is so important to watch for any small red flag you see and then speak up. No one really wants to kill themselves. They are in such pain that they think killing the pain is the only way out. Obviously that is a desperate place to be. I wrote an article on this topic, but it seems they don't want links to articles posted here, because that comment is not showing up. If you Google my name you might find it. Good luck. I wrote it to help people know how to support their friends, and be able to be friends for many years.

[Dana Terrell LCSW]

07:01 PM on 05/05/2012

Thank you, Huggington Post! My previous comment DID get posted so you can easily find my article if you wish.

[sigma316]

12:46 PM on 05/04/2012

Very sad. My heart goes out to his family. When I saw his moms on TV crying it really touched me. Junior Seau was one of the good guys. A true NFL warrior. A few years ago I bumped into him at a nightclub in Chicago called LePessage. I looked up and I saw this mountain of man starring down at me. It took me a second to realize that the wall I just stumbled into was Junior Seau. Anyhow I extended my hand and apologized. He smiled and said, "No problem." I tell this story to illustrate that while I didn't know him personally that brief encounter in a crowded night club left a lasting impression on me.

I've seen plenty of entertainers and athletes out and about, and a lot of them can be real jerks. He could have just blown me off, however, he didn't behave like a jerk or pampered prima donna. He smiled and shook my hand. That's the Junior Seau I'll always remember, I pray for his loved ones and I hope something good comes from his death. Hopefully the NFL will do the right thing and seriously investigate the long term effects of multiple concussions. I read an interesting fact that that stated, the average NFL players career spans just five years and the average age at death is 55.

[J0E1]

12:17 PM on 05/04/2012

Officials said they were awaiting a decision by the family on whether to turn over Seau's brain to unidentified outside researchers for study.

I hope they do.  It's the only way to improve the equipment football players around the country wear and push for new policies against certain types of hits.  It's unfortunate nothing had been done when Seau was a player but his family could help future players who looked up to him stay safe.

[Blackspeare]

11:52 AM on 05/04/2012

If we're going to blame the NFL for long term injuries, then why not the NHL?! Oops, sorry, forgot----who cares about ice hockey!

[shawman65]

11:52 AM on 05/04/2012

What a shame. RIP junior.

[Blackspeare]

11:43 AM on 05/04/2012

Everybody, from Dr. Drew to Dr. Gupta are blaming sports injuries (CTE) for Seau's suicide, when it might be some other factor.

[Jack R Phillips]

05:19 AM on 05/04/2012

damn...I thought I felt a surge in the world's collective IQ. I have NO SYMPATHY for anyone who commits suicide.

[Dan Slander]

05:51 AM on 05/04/2012

Well they really don't need it at that point, do they Jack?

[iRock]

08:01 AM on 05/04/2012

Would you like a cookie?

[mr whiteffolks]

03:52 AM on 05/04/2012

Some people suffer in silence and are too proud to ask for help !

[iRock]

08:02 AM on 05/04/2012

They also don't want to burden others they love with constant worry.

[Sad But True]

08:48 AM on 05/04/2012

And yet he apparently leaves no note of any sort to explain his decision to his suffering family.

[wackypack]

02:53 AM on 05/04/2012

does'nt anybody even question how this might not be suicide? girlfriend was the 'first to find' ?? how soon after this supposedly happened ?? who commits suicide with a shot to the chest ? I'm sure it happens but I've never once heard of it in 20 years of news reading. Dont mean to sound jerky but I hope the PD at least gave this woman a little heat in an interrogation room, too often it seems the significant other is seen as the 'greiving' one whom everyone supports and feels sorry for, i dont kno tho Seau had an awful lot going for 'em - condolences to all family & friends!

[LogicalMathMan]

10:46 AM on 05/04/2012

Huh? Three ex-football players committed suicide in the same fashion over the past two years....read the article.

[Blackspeare]

11:46 AM on 05/04/2012

Believe it or not, people choose to shot themselves in the heart rather than the head because they don't want to destroy their appearance.

[eyepatch]

12:35 AM on 05/04/2012

.....tragic, simply tragic....

my heart goes out to the closest to him
family, friends and fans across the country.