The family of late Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has cast suspicion upon law enforcement over the death of the NFL star.
"I truly think they killed him, I truly do," Marshawn's cousin Jasmine Kneeland, 33, told the Daily Mail in a story published on Saturday, November 8.
Marshawn died on Thursday, November 6, following a brief police chase after he failed to stop for a traffic violation. After ditching his car, Marshawn's body was found near the Dallas Parkway, dead from an apparent suicide. He was 24 years old.
"Marshawn is not a violent person," Jasmine said. "He is not a hot head. Something here is just not right. Something made him really scared and he ran."
Jasmine continued, "This is nothing like him at all. He loves his family. He's like a big kid. He likes making TikTok videos of the little ones in our family, he likes being around them a lot. He was generous with them, always buying stuff."
Us Weekly has reached out to the Frisco Police Department for comment.
"I mean, why would he do something like that all of a sudden?" Jasmine asked. "That's not the person I know. Our family is utterly devastated."
Jasmine explained the Kneeland family was looking forward to seeing Marshawn back home in Michigan this past weekend, during the Cowboys' bye week.
"We had this big reunion planned this week at the home where he grew up," she said. "We do that kind of thing. All the children come, all the family come together. We eat, we laugh, we pray together. Everybody's so proud of Marshawn. He's come such a long way and there was such love for him."
Jasmine added, "He was supposed to be here with us in Grand Rapids. Not dead after a police chase."
According to 911 audio, Marshawn had texted friends and family members "goodbye" shortly before his death.
Marshawn's girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, told authorities Marshawn had "a history of mental illness" and she was concerned for his well-being.
In audio obtained by Us on Monday, November 10, an acquaintance of the late Cowboys star said he was "not able to go to prison or to jail" in the hours before his body was found.
The extended Kneeland family - including his father, Shawn, who is currently incarcerated, his brothers, AJ and Shawn Jr., and his sister, Yahmya - issued a statement about Marshawn's death on Thursday.
"We are devastated by this tremendous loss and are still processing the depth of our grief," the family said. "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."
Marshawn's mother, Wendy, died in February 2024, just two months before her son was drafted by the Cowboys.
The statement continued, "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."
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