The Dallas Cowboys community is mourning the tragic loss of Marshawn Kneeland, a promising young defensive end who was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound early Thursday morning.
Authorities confirmed that Kneeland, 24, sent a series of goodbye texts to his family just hours before his death, following a police pursuit north of Dallas.
Marshawn Kneeland Final Moments and Heartbreaking Messages
According to dispatch audio obtained by PEOPLE, Kneeland’s family received a group text message saying “goodbye” shortly before his death. “They just received a text from him, a group text from him saying goodbye,” a dispatcher can be heard saying in the recording. “They’re concerned for his welfare.”
Moments later, Kneeland’s girlfriend, identified as Catalina, reportedly told authorities she feared for his safety. “She’s saying he is armed and has a history of mental illness,” a dispatcher relayed. “Her quote was, ‘He will end it all.’”
As police agencies across North Texas scrambled to locate him, another dispatcher noted that a representative from the NFL had contacted Plano Police to express concern. “The NFL is calling Plano PD and the subject is texting his family goodbye,” the dispatcher said.
