Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has died at the age of 24, hours after being pursued by police in suburban Dallas. Authorities say he took his own life after a high-speed chase that began on the evening of 5 November.
Police initially believed the car Kneeland was driving, a Dodge Charger, had been stolen. A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper attempted a traffic stop at 10.33pm, but Kneeland accelerated, reaching speeds over 145mph. The chase ended around 10.45pm when his vehicle collided with a truck in Frisco. Kneeland abandoned the car, and officers found an empty holster inside, assuming the driver was armed.
Officers searched a wooded area and drainage tunnels, firing pepper balls and deploying a drone, but did not find him. By 1am on 6 November, authorities learned the suspect was Kneeland, after his girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, arrived at the scene. She had received goodbye texts from him and helped officers in the search. Approximately 30 minutes later, his body was discovered.
Mancera, who is pregnant with the couple’s child, posted a tribute on Facebook, saying, 'My sweet boy is really gone.' The Cowboys have set up a memorial fund to support her. Teammates paid tribute, with quarterback Dak Prescott stating, 'We love Marshawn and will continue to shine a light for him.'
