The story behind Steve McNair's tragic killing – and his family now
Netflix's Untold series is one that unravels gripping (and tragic) stories for viewers, often in need of having their lose ends tied up. One of the latest episodes focusses on quarterback Steve McNair, nicknamed 'Air McNair', who was sadly killed in July 2009 at the age of just 36 – and the case surrounding his untimely passing.
But what is the true story of Steve McNair's death? And who was Sahel Kazemi, the woman labelled as responsible for his demise?
Who was Steve McNair?
Born in Mount Olive, Mississippi, in 1973, McNair went from a small town life to being one of the biggest names in the NFL, playing for the Houston Oilers (starting in 1995), later known as the Tennessee Titans (ending in 2005). He also did a year with the Baltimore Ravens (2006 - 2007).
The quarterback later went on to marry Mechelle, who he met while studying at university, and outside of a successful football career, he opened up a restaurant, Gridiron9, in Nashville. The athlete proposed by hiding a ring in a slice of cake and he and Michelle went on to wed in 1997, and later welcome two sons.
How did Steve McNair die?
Heartbreakingly, McNair was found dead with multiple bullets in his body on 4 July 2009, in an apartment that he rented in Nashville. Lying next to him, was Sahel Kazemi – a woman also known as 'Jenni', who was romantically involved with McNair and who had exchanged 'love you' messages with him on the day of the shooting. At the time of his passing, McNair was still married to Mechelle, who later said she had no idea about Kazemi but suspected other affairs were taking place.
Ahead of his death, McNair put his children to bed and then told Kazemi he'd head round to check on her, after she reported having chest pains due to stress. Earlier that day, McNair had also transferred money to help Kazemi pay her bills.
McNair was found dead on the sofa with four bullets in his body and Kazemi was found next to him with one: a bullet in her temple. Their bodies were discovered by two of McNair's friends, Wayne Neely and Robert Gaddy, who quickly called the police.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department later declared it as a murder-suicide.
Who was Sahel Kazemi?
Sahel Kazemi, who also went by the name of 'Jenni', was a woman known to have been romantically involved with McNair, and whose body was found next to his. Kazemi's body had one gunshot wound to the head, which led police to believe the case was a tragic murder-suicide, with Kazemi killing McNair before turning the gun onto herself. She is believed to have worked as a waitress in the restaurant that the football player owned.
On the day of her and McNair's death, Kazemi is reported to have sent him a text saying 'u love me' to which he apparently replied 'I love you baby'.
As per CBS News, Kazemi was "a woman burdened by financial woes who was heavily dependent on her lover, for both emotional and monetary support." It's said she became upset after suspecting McNair was having another affair outside of their own.
Who killed Steve McNair?
While police have recorded the death as a murder-suicide, with Kazemi as the gunman, a new Netflix show questions whether or not that verdict is accurate, with private investigator, Vincent Hill, once petitioning to have it re-opened.
Hill believes that Kazemi's ex-boyfriend, Kenneth Norfleet, and a formerly incarcerated man named Adrian Gilliam, who is said to have sold Kazemi the gun used to kill McNair – and who initially falsely claimed he didn't know Kazemi – ought to be requestioned. In 2010, Hill presented a 32-page dossier to the court in an attempt to have the case re-examined with Gilliam at the forefront. The request was denied.
Where is Steve McNair's wife now?
Mechelle McNair doesn't have an active social media presence, but gave an interview to ESPN a few years back in which she discussed how close she is to both of her sons and how life has changed since her husband's death. The article says she received a nursing degree some years back and was considering becoming a foster parent.
Speaking about her husband's affair with Kazemi, McNair said it all came as a total shock to her following his murder. "I didn't know about her at all. You're going to have people who say, 'Oh, she knew'," she said. "Did I know about some other people and some other things? Yes. But did I know about her? No, I did not."
McNair added that she tries to remember her husband only with love in her heart. "He loved us. I do know that. Regardless of how he left here, I know he loved us. I can't say that I didn't have my bitter moments [...] But I'm not going to hell blaming somebody or having the hate and animosity in my heart. I'm not going to do it."
Did Steve McNair have children?
Sadly, McNair left behind two sons, Tyler and Trent, whom he shared with his wife Mechelle, and two others with two different women, who he met prior to meeting Mechelle – Stephen LaTreal McNair Junior and Steven O'Brian McNair.
According to an interview with his mother, Tyler – who swapped playing basketball for dance – went off to New York University on an academic scholarship in 2018 at the age of 19. Judging by his socials, he looks to be thriving and works as a model, dancer and choreographer:
Trent also caught the bug for basketball and appears to be doing well, playing at his university, Palm Beach Atlantic:
Untold: The Murder of Air McNair is on Netflix now
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