The autopsy results for late Dallas Cowboys star Marshawn Kneeland are being blocked from release, according to documents obtained by Us Weekly.
The office of the Attorney General in the state of Texas is prohibiting release of the results because “this matter is currently pending criminal investigation and/or prosecution.”
“This investigation has not yet resulted in an indictment, conviction, or deferred adjudication,” said Frisco Police Department assistant chief, Darren Stevens, in a letter. “Due to the fact that there is a pending criminal investigation, we are asking that you withhold the requested information.”
Kneeland’s autopsy was performed on Tuesday, November 18.
“At this time, we are not providing any additional information beyond what’s already been released,” the Frisco Police Department told Us when asked for clarification about the criminal investigation.
Kneeland died by an apparent suicide on November 6 following a brief police chase. He was 24 years old.
In the hours before his death, the Cowboys’ director of security, Cable Johnson, called police to ask for a welfare check on Kneeland.
Johnson told authorities Kneeland had sent goodbye texts to friends and family and expressed he was “not able to go to prison or to jail.”
The Cowboys announced Kneeland’s death on the morning of November 6, just days after the defensive lineman scored his first NFL touchdown on Monday Night Football.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” the team said. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
At a press conference on November 12, Cowboys head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, announced the creation of the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund and revealed that Catalina was pregnant.
“I’d like to take a few moments and offer my condolences to Marshawn’s family, Catalina, his girlfriend,” Schottenheimer said. “We had an opportunity last night to celebrate Marshawn’s life, tell some stories. Share, laugh, cry. Marshawn loved the words ‘one love.’ So we talked a lot about love, as we grieve. I got a chance to share a couple of the things that I’ll miss the most about Marshawn.”
The coach continued, “My heart is heavy, my team’s heart is heavy. We don’t move on, but we do move forward.”
Dallas returned to action for the first time since Kneeland’s death against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, November 17.
“They wanted to honor him, and we’re not done honoring him,” Schottenheimer said after the Cowboys’ 33-16 win. “He’s a part of our family forever. But it’s been tough, man. I mean, these past 11 days have been really tough. I’m proud of those guys because just the way they played today, they played with Marshawn’s play style.”
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
The Cowboys’ players and coaching staff wore t-shirts to honor Kneeland before the game and will wear helmet decals of his number for the remainder of the season.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some tears when I first put the shirt on, as you can imagine,” Schottenheimer said. “But more than anything, I know Marshawn was looking down on us, and we wanted to make him proud, and I think we did that.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
