Former NFL Running Back’s Death Officially Ruled A Suicide

Former NFL running back, Lawrence Phillips, was serving a 31 year prison sentence in Kern Valley State Prison after being convicted in 2005 of choking a former girlfriend twice in San Diego (once into unconsciousness) and hitting three teenagers with his car in Los Angeles. In April 2015, Phillips got into more trouble when his 37 year old cellmate (who was serving 82 years for murder)  was found dead.

Back in January, the prison staff was conducting their routine security checks when they discovered Phillips unresponsive in his cell with a note taped to his chest that read, “Do Not Resuscitate.”  He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. At the time, they suspected it was suicide. it appears the official ruling is in. 

An autopsy report confirms that Phillips’ death was a suicide. A toxicology report found no illegal drugs or psychiatric medication in his system.  

The coroner’s final report says that Phillips died of asphyxia due to hanging. It’s also been revealed that Phillips ripped a bed sheet in half, knotted and tied it around his neck and hung himself from a five foot high television shelf. A photograph of Phillips and a small child along with a note, was found in his left sock.

Phillips was being investigated for the death of his cell mate and was in segregation while awaiting trial. I’m wondering if they will study his brain to determine if he was suffering from CTE. His erratic and violent behavior certainly suggests it.