Hours before Marshawn Kneeland was found dead from suicide, the Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman is believed to have reached speeds of up to 160 miles per hour in a vehicle pursuit involving Texas police, new records indicate.
The police chase, which occurred the night of Nov. 5, saw Texas Department of Public Safety troopers identifying a Dodge Charger that was traveling northbound on Dallas North Tollway at speeds higher than 145 mph, according to an offense report the agency released Friday through an open records request.
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One trooper said Kneeland’s vehicle reached 145 mph, but body camera footage revealed other authorities believed the chase reached 160 mph.
Kneeland, 24, was found dead by police in a portable restroom in the early hours of Nov. 6 after an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, hours after being pursued by officers in an attempt to stop Kneeland’s Dodge Charger in a traffic stop.
Texas state troopers’ search for Kneeland involved releasing pepper balls into drainage tunnels, officers deploying K-9 dogs and drones –– which were all released via body and dash cam videos.
Kneeland crashed his Dodge Charger at 10:43 p.m., sideswiping a Ford F-250 and fleeing on foot, before police arrived on the scene two minutes later.
It was then that authorities identified Kneeland as their suspect –– they initially were unaware that Kneeland was the driver, believing that the car had been stolen.
Police then inducted an hours long search, spreading out in every direction, with K-9 units leading officers into a wooded area and a culvert, a tunnel that helps manage the water flow.
During the search, law enforcement officers were told that Kneeland had a history of mental illness and that he texted his family goodbye.
As more details emerge over authorities’ radio, police find a woman identified as Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, driving a white Buick SUV registered to Kneeland. She was initially detained, but police later released her, as she remained on scene.
Just after midnight, police began tracking Kneeland’s phone and pinpoint his location shortly after 1 a.m. Authorities used thermal sensors on drones to detect body heat in a portable restroom, which was located in front of an office building.
Officers found Kneeland, dead, inside at 1:32 a.m.
Western Michigan’s football team and the Dallas Cowboys have since honored Kneeland after the Nov. 6 news. Kneeland’s family held a private memorial service in Wyoming, Michigan in memory of Kneeland, and the service was invite-only with close family and friends, along with some coaches on hand, per ESPN.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance, the following resources are available:
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a trained listener, call 988.
Visit 988lifeline.org for crisis chat services or for more information.
The Michigan Crisis and Access Line (MiCAL ) is the statewide crisis and access line. MiCAL is a 988 call center and is primarily responsible for answering 988 calls originating from Michigan.