07-04-2009 3:18 PM —
[UPDATED 9:57 p.m. July 4]
Metro Police Saturday night confirmed that former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair, 36, and a 20-year-old woman, were found dead in the living room of a downtown Nashville condominium co-rented by McNair.
Medical Examiner staff concluded that McNair was the victim of multiple bullet wounds, police spokesman Don Aaron said late Saturday night, at least one to the head, and the woman, Sahel Kazemi, died of a single gunshot wound to the head. A pistol was found near her body.
The pair was found early Saturday afternoon in the condominium at 2nd and Lea Avenues in Rutledge Hill by the other co-renter, Wayne Neeley. Police reported receiving the first call at 1:35 p.m.
Metro Police Homicide detectives are investigating the shooting death and the circumstances surrounding it. Aaron gave few additional details, mentioning only that witnesses saw McNair and Kazemi arrive at the condo early Saturday morning and that the pair was involved in a DUI after a traffic stop early Thursday.
While details are sketchy at this time, NashvillePost.com sources say that the scene could be double homicide, a murder/suicide, or made to look like a murder/suicide. NashvillePost.com has reported that McNair was approached and threatened at a Nashville restaurant Friday evening, though Aaron would not comment on that or any other theory.
An autopsy is planned for Sunday morning, police said.
Police reported that Kazemi was pulled over about 1:20 a.m. Thursday on 9th Ave. S. near Broadway, driving an SUV registered to both her and McNair, who was traveling with her in the passenger seat at the time. The SUV was at the condo when police arrived at the crime scene, Aaron said.
A police report on the DUI bust said the Cadillac Escalade driven by Kazemi was clocked at 54 miles per hour in the 30 -m.p.h. zone along Broadway just past 12th Ave. S. "She refused a breath test," the arresting officer reported. "She said she was not drunk, she was high."
McNair, immensely popular in Nashville, played 13 seasons with the Titans/Houston Oilers and was a three-time Pro Bowler. He was the NFL's co-MVP (along with Peyton Manning) in 2003, before spending two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, before retiring in 2008.
"He was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one of the most beloved players by our fans," Titans owner Bud Adams said Saturday in a statement. "He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl."
The team's former general manager was also "deeply saddened to learn of [Saturday's] tragic news.
"He was a player who I admired a great deal," said New England Patriots senior football adviser Floyd Reese, who was GM of the Titans when McNair played there. "He was a tremendous leader and an absolute warrior. I don't think there was a player who played with him or against him that didn't look up to him and respect him.
"My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, his friends and the many teammates who loved and admired him," Reese said.
McNair is survived by sons, Junior, Steven, Tyler, and Trenton.
"We don't know the details, but it is a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to the families involved," added NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher is in Iraq, taking part in the first NFL-USO coaches tour.
NashvillePost.com will update this story as more information comes available.
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