Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
The heartbreaking final text message that Dallas Cowboys star Marshawn Kneeland sent to his family prior to his death has been revealed.
The Dallas Cowboys announced the death of the rising star defensive end in Texas on Thursday, November 6, just days after the 24-year-old had scored a scorching touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals.
Confirming the death of their 'beloved' Marshawn, the Kneeland family also shared a statement, explaining that they 'are devastated by this tremendous loss and are still processing the depth of our grief'.
Advert
It continued: "As Marshawn was making his mark on the football field with the Dallas Cowboys, he held an even more special place off the field — as a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend. He was kind, determined, humble, and full of love.
"His light shone brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit will continue to live on through the countless hearts he inspired.
"We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, fans, and the community. During this difficult time, we ask for privacy as we come together as a family to honor and remember Marshawn’s life and legacy."
According to police dispatch audio obtained by PEOPLE, Kneeland said goodbye to his family in a text message prior to his death.
“They just received a text from him, a group text from him saying goodbye,” authorities can be heard saying on the dispatch.
“They're concerned for his welfare.”
One dispatcher said that Kneeland's girlfriend, Catalina, had told authorities she was trying to get in touch with his agent, Jonathan Perzley.
“She's trying to call his agent,” a dispatcher says.
“So we're trying to get him to call her to call him first, but she's saying he is armed and has a history of mental illness and her quote was, ‘He will end it all.’”
Frisco Police Department have since informed the public of the tragic circumstances which they understand to be suicide.
Officers said an earlier incident had occurred prior to Kneeland's death, involving an 'outside agency vehicle pursuit that led to a multi-agency search in Frisco'.
Kneeland's body was found near his vehicle in Frisco at 1.31am, three hours after he was involved in the police chase.
After he had fled his vehicle on foot, Kneeland was sadly found with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The department continued: "The cause/manner of death will be determined by the Collin County Medical Examiner's Office."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Lucy Devine