NFL

Police Conclude Sahel Kazemi Murdered Steve McNair, Killed Herself

Posted Jul 08, 2009 9:56PM By FanHouse Newswire (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Titans, NFL Police Blotter

Text SizeAAA
Sahel Kazemi / Steve McNairNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Sahel Kazemi was determined to be with her boyfriend, former NFL star Steve McNair -- even in death.

As he dozed on a sofa early Saturday, Kazemi shot him in the head, then twice in the chest, then again in the head.

Before shooting herself, the 20-year-old sat next to his body and "tried to stage it so she would fall in his lap," Police Chief Ronal Serpas said Wednesday at a press conference where police confirmed the deaths were a murder-suicide. She did, but her body slid to the floor and ended up at McNair's feet. The gun was found underneath her.

Serpas said police believe McNair was asleep when he was killed.

Interviews with friends revealed that Kazemi "was spinning out of control."

She was making payments on two cars, her rent was doubling and she suspected the married McNair was having a second affair with another young woman.

She told a friend on Friday that "My life is a ball of s-- and I should end it," Serpas said.

Police earlier had labeled McNair's death a homicide, but waited for further tests before concluding that she pulled the trigger of a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol in a condominium McNair rented with a friend.

McNair, 36, a quarterback for the Tennessee Titans most of his career, met Kazemi six months ago at a sports cafe where she was a waitress and his family often ate. She seemed happy and eager to build a life with him, but something went wrong.

"We do know that she was clearly sending a message during the last five to seven days of her life that things were going bad quickly," Serpas said, though there was no indication she told anyone she planned to harm McNair.

Serpas said detectives learned that Kazemi recently found out about another young woman she thought McNair was romantically involved with and had even followed that woman home, though she did not confront her.

Kazemi's family told reporters that the woman was so confident McNair was divorcing his wife of 12 years that she was preparing to sell her furniture and move in with him.

Steve McNair Tragedy

    FILE -- This June 28, 2001 file photo shows Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair and his wife, Mechelle, smiling during a news conference in Nashville, Tenn. after McNair signed a contract extention. (AP Photo/Christopher Berkey, fILE)

    AP

    NASHVILLE, TN - JULY 6: Former Tennessee Titan Eddie George attends a press conference in reaction to the death of former Titan star quarterback Steve McNair July 6, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. McNair was found shot to death in a Nashville condominium on July 4th, his girlfreinds' body was also found at the scene. (Photo by Rusty Russell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eddie George

    Getty Images

    NASHVILLE, TN - JULY 6: Former Tennessee Titan Eddie George attends a press conference in reaction to the death of former Titan star quarterback Steve McNair July 6, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. McNair was found shot to death in a Nashville condominium on July 4th, his girlfreinds' body was also found at the scene. (Photo by Rusty Russell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eddie George

    Getty Images

    NASHVILLE, TN - JULY 6: Former Tennessee Titan Eddie George attends a press conference in reaction to the death of former Titan star quarterback Steve McNair July 6, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. McNair was found shot to death in a Nashville condominium on July 4th, his girlfreinds' body was also found at the scene. (Photo by Rusty Russell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eddie George

    Getty Images

    NASHVILLE, TN - JULY 6: Tennessee Titans Coach Jeff Fisher speaks at a press conference in reaction to the death of former Titan star quarterback Steve McNair July 6, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. McNair was found shot to death in a Nashville condominium on July 4th, his girlfreinds' body was also found at the scene. (Photo by Rusty Russell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Fisher

    Getty Images

    NASHVILLE, TN - JULY 6: Tennessee Titans Coach Jeff Fisher speaks at a press conference in reaction to the death of former Titan star quarterback Steve McNair July 6, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. McNair was found shot to death in a Nashville condominium on July 4th, his girlfreinds' body was also found at the scene. (Photo by Rusty Russell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Fisher

    Getty Images

    NASHVILLE, TN - JULY 6: Former Tennessee Titans players Eddie George (L) and Brad Hopkins attend a press conference in reaction to the death of former Titan star quarterback Steve McNair July 6, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. McNair was found shot to death in a Nashville condominium on July 4th, his girlfreinds' body was also found at the scene. (Photo by Rusty Russell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brad Hopkins;Eddie George

    Getty Images

    NASHVILLE, TN - JULY 6: Tennessee Titans Coach Jeff Fisher speaks at a press conference in reaction to the death of former Titan star quarterback Steve McNair July 6, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. McNair was found shot to death in a Nashville condominium on July 4th, his girlfreinds' body was also found at the scene. (Photo by Rusty Russell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Fisher

    Getty Images

    NASHVILLE, TN - JULY 6: Tennessee Titans Coach Jeff Fisher speaks at a press conference in reaction to the death of former Titan star quarterback Steve McNair July 6, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. McNair was found shot to death in a Nashville condominium on July 4th, his girlfreinds' body was also found at the scene. (Photo by Rusty Russell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Fisher

    Getty Images

    NASHVILLE, TN - JULY 6: Tennessee Titans Coach Jeff Fisher speaks at a press conference in reaction to the death of former Titan star quarterback Steve McNair July 6, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. McNair was found shot to death in a Nashville condominium on July 4th, his girlfreinds' body was also found at the scene. (Photo by Rusty Russell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Fisher

    Getty Images

But Mike Mu, who has worked with McNair's charitable association for years, said earlier Wednesday that McNair's wife, Mechelle McNair, "didn't know who this girl is." No records of divorce proceedings have surfaced. The McNairs have four children.

Two days before the shooting, police stopped Kazemi driving a Cadillac Escalade sport utility vehicle that McNair had given her for her birthday in May.

According to an arrest affidavit, Kazemi had bloodshot eyes and alcohol on her breath. She refused a breath test and told an officer "she was not drunk, she was high." She was charged with DUI. McNair was with her but not charged. He later made her bail.

Police are awaiting toxicology reports on both bodies.

The man McNair shared the condo with discovered them Saturday and called a friend, Robert Gaddy, who arrived and called 911. Serpas said the man didn't call 911 himself because he was in shock.

Gaddy said Wednesday that what he saw in the condo will haunt him for the rest of his life, but he was glad police made clear that his longtime friend did not suffer.

Serpas said that even though both Kazemi's name and McNair's were on the Cadillac's title, she was apparently responsible for making payments. She was also making payments on another car after she couldn't sell it.

Kazemi had no history of violence, but "on the last several days of her life it's obvious that she made some very poor decisions," Serpas said.

Mechelle McNair has not spoken publicly since the shooting. Bishop Joseph W. Walker III of Mount Zion Baptist Church, which the McNairs have attended since moving to Nashville in 1997, said Wednesday that she is doing as well as can be expected.

"Her faith is what's sustaining her now," he said. "We haven't talked about the circumstances of his death. She is processing it in a private way. It's obviously devastating on so many levels."

Gaddy defended McNair as a great husband.

"When Mechelle is ready to speak, she will let people know that. We can't justify anything that people are starting to find out, but the one thing that we can say, that I know for sure, is that Steve loved his family," Gaddy said.

A memorial service is set for Thursday night in Nashville, with the funeral Saturday in his native Mississippi.

The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback was being remembered Wednesday at the stadium where he played much of his career. The Tennessee Titans opened LP Field for fans to watch video highlights of McNair's 13-year NFL career and look at photos of the quarterback. There was also a book for them to write messages that will be given to the family.

McNair was known as "Air McNair" for his passing prowess at Alcorn State in Mississippi. In 2000, he helped lead the Titans to the Super Bowl, where they ended up a yard short of a touchdown on the last play of the game when they trailed by seven points.

He spent the last two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before retiring from the NFL last year.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Remembering Steve McNair

    Three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Steve McNair is remembered for being an incredibly hard worker, a dedicated teammate and a true NFL leader. Click through the gallery to recap McNair's memorable 13-year career.

    Ronen Zilberman, AP

    McNair signed a seven-year contract with the Houston Oilers after being selected third overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. As a prolific quarterback at Alcorn State, he shattered Division I-AA records, won the Walter Payton Award, and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting behind Rashaan Salaam and Ki-Jana Carter.

    Mark Phillips, AFP / Getty Images

    During his early NFL career, McNair remained a backup to Chris Chandler until starting a game in December 1996 against the Jaguars. In his first season as the Oilers' starter in 1997, he led the team to an 8-8 record, and his 2,665 passing yards were the most for the Oilers since Warren Moon in 1993. He also collected 674 yards on the ground, the third-highest total for a quarterback in NFL history.

    Pat Sullivan, AP

    McNair developed a special bond with his teammates as the franchise progressed and the team's name was changed to the Tennessee Titans. With emerging stars such as wide receiver Derrick Mason, pictured, McNair led the Titans to victory in seven of their last nine games during the 1999 season. Tennessee finished with a 13

    Elsa, Getty Images

    McNair and the Titans battled throughout the 1999 playoffs, including a shocking wild-card win over Buffalo on a play dubbed the "Music City Miracle." His most notable drive came in Super Bowl XXXIV, when he carried the Titans 87 yards in the final minute and 48 seconds, only to come up just shy when Kevin Dyson was tackled at the 1-yard-line. The Titans lost 23-16 in a heartbreaker.

    Morry Gash, AP

    Despite missing two games with an injured calf and ankle during the 2003 season, McNair finished with the best numbers of his career -- including 24 touchdown passes and a quarterback rating of 100.4. McNair and Peyton Manning were named co-NFL MVPs following the season. "I'm sharing it with Peyton Manning, I'm sharing it with a great guy," said McNair.

    John Russell, AP

    Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, left, told The Tennessean that he'll always remember McNair as one of his favorite players. "It is an extremely emotional moment and I don

    Mark Humphrey, AP

    McNair, referred to as a "warrior" by former teammate Al Del Greco, fought through numerous aches and pains during his career. He missed eight games in 2004 with a bruised sternum, but rebounded for a successful closing season with the Titans in 2005.

    Mark Humphrey, AP

    In June 2006, McNair's long stay with the Titans ended with a trade to Baltimore, where he played the final two seasons of his career. He led the Ravens to a 13-3 record and an AFC South championship in 2006 before faltering in 2007 due to back and shoulder injuries.

    Mark Humphrey, AP

    With both the Titans and Ravens, the respected veteran paved the way for young black quarterbacks such as Vince Young, right, and Troy Smith. "He taught me so much - not about the game, but about life, and I owe him a great deal," said Young.

    Andy Lyons, Getty Images

Tags: Sahel+Kazemi, Steve+McNair

Related Articles

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 63)

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments


NFL Team Photos




Latest NFL Photos