SAN DIEGO — There was no alcohol or the presence of illegal drugs in Junior Seau’s system when he shot and killed himself at his home in May, authorities said yesterday.
The full autopsy results were released by the San Diego County medical examiner’s office in a 16-page report regarding the former NFL linebacker who was found by his girlfriend with a single gunshot wound to his chest.
Seau, 43, did have Zolpidem, often found in the sleeping aid Ambien, and traces of the anti-inflammatory drug naproxen in his system when he died that were “consistent with therapeutic use,” wrote Deputy Medical Examiner Craig Nelson.
The autopsy showed no underlying hemorrhaging or contusions on Seau’s brain, which appeared to be normal. His family has donated some of his brain tissue for research amid questions about whether any damage from his 20-year football career played some factor in his suicide.
No suicide note was found, and family and friends said Seau didn’t appear distraught or depressed.