Preliminary testing indicates a likely conclusion of murder-suicide in the deaths of Steve McNair and Sahel Kazemi, according to a state medical examiner, The Tennessean reported on its Web site Wednesday.
Feng Li, the assistant medical examiner who conducted the autopsies, told the paper that he will wait for the police investigation to close before he completes Kazemi’s death certificate to reflect that she died of suicide.
“The results were very consistent in supporting our decision,” Li said.
Authorities have already concluded that McNair’s death was a homicide.
Gunshot residue and ballistics testing were also consistent with a ruling of murder-suicide, Li said.
“With the lab tests to be obtained combined with the autopsy findings, we will put a final opinion on the death certificate,” Li told The Tennessean.
McNair was shot twice in the head and twice in the chest, while the 20-year-old Kazemi died from a single gunshot to the head. Under her body was a gun she had purchased less than two days before the killings.
Three of the shots that killed McNair were taken from a distance, but one of the shots to the temple came from just inches away.
The gun that killed Kazemi was in contact with her head when it discharged, medical examiner Bruce Levy said Tuesday.
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, look at photos of the quarterback and had a book for them to write messages that will be given to the family.
