Medical Examiner's Office Confirms Seau Committed Suicide

Thursday the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Junior Seau’s death was a suicide.

The 43-year-old NFL legend inside his Oceanside home from a gunshot wound to the chest, which the Medical Examiner determined to be self-inflicted.

Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Craig Nelson conducted the forensic autopsy, according to a news release from the county. The autopsy included a full inspection of Seau’s body and organs—and a host of laboratory studies, including a toxicology report and a microscopic examination of organs and tissues. The results of those tests will be part of the final autopsy report.

Researchers outside of the medical examiner's office may study Seau's brain for repetitive injury if his family consents, according to the news release. The family's decision is not known at this time.

After the death certificate is completed, Seau’s body will be released to the mortuary his family selects.

More details about this case will be released in the final investigative report, which may take up to 90 days to complete.

Seau played with the Chargers for 13 years before finishing his career with the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. Seau is the Bolts all-time leader in tackles with 1,288. He also had 47 career sacks and 15 career interceptions for San Diego. In November 2011, he was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame.

Patch will keep you posted as the story develops.