Steve McNair's Death Ruled Homicide; Sahel Kazemi, Girlfriend, Still an Uncategorized Death

Nashville Police announced Saturday night during a CNN televised press conference that they were not seeking suspects in a double slaying involving one-time Tenessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair and a young woman who was later identified as Sahel Kazemi, a "girl friend." This statement led many to believe that the incident was a homicide-suicide. Although treating the scene as that of a homicide, Nashville Police Spokesman Don Aaron stated that they were not ready as yet to classify the deaths. But by Sunday afternoon, Nashville Police had ruled Steve McNair's death a homicide while leaving Sahel Kazemi's death unclassified.

The "facts," as Aaron gave them during the late press conference, show that Steve McNair and Sahel Kazemi were found dead by McNair's friend, Wayne Neely. In fact, police say that Wayne Neely had observed the two -- Steve McNair on a sofa, Sahel Kazemi on the floor -- and had bypassed them and went into the condominium's kitchen. Upon his return, he saw blood. He then called a friend, who dialed 911.

A handgun was found near Sahel Kazimi's body. She had a single gunshot wound to the head. Steve McNair had several gunshot wounds to the body and one also to the head. Although authorities found it relatively simple to classify Steve McNair's death as a homicide, the death of Sahel Kazemi, however, was not as clear-cut and the results of several ongoing forensics tests and a ballistics report were needed to make a death classification.

TMZ posted photographs of Steve McNair and Sahel Kazemi on a "getaway," suggesting that the two were more than just acquaintances. Nashville Police later found that the two shared a "dating relationship" for the past several months.

The Tennessean reported that an ex-boyfriend of Sahel Kazemi's, Keith Norfleet, had searched for her for some time on Saturday when he couldn't reach her on the phone. Keith Norfleet stated that Steve McNair and Sahel Kazemi were having difficulties and that Kazemi had spoken of breaking off the relationship.

There had also been reports that the McNair and Kazemi engaged in loud arguments.

According to CDC statistics, a study conducted over a ten-year period showed that firearms were the method of choice in intimate partner homicides.

It is not clear yet as to how much of the relationship Steve McNair's wife, Mechelle, was privy. The family released a short statement acknowledging the support of family, friends, and fans of Steve McNair.

Steve McNair played in the NFL for 13 and led the Tennessee Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV. He was 36.

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Sources:

Tennessean.com

CNN Television

TMZ.com

Centers for Disease Control