The story behind Steve McNair’s tragic murder – and his family now

The Netflix series “Untold” tells viewers gripping (and tragic) stories whose loose ends often need to be tied up. One of the latest episodes focuses on quarterback Steve McNair, nicknamed “Air McNair,” who died in July 2009 at the age of just 36 – and the case surrounding his untimely death.

But what is the true story of Steve McNair's death? And who was Sahel Kazemi, the woman blamed for his death?

Who was Steve McNair?

Born in 1973 in Mount Olive, Mississippi, McNair came from a small town and became one of the biggest names in the NFL. He played for the Houston Oilers (from 1995), who later became known as the Tennessee Titans (until 2005). He also played for one year for the Baltimore Ravens (2006 – 2007).

The quarterback later married Mechelle, whom he met while in college, and opened a restaurant called Gridiron9 in Nashville alongside his successful football career. The sportsman proposed to her by hiding a ring in a piece of cake, and he and Michelle married in 1997 and later had two sons.

How did Steve McNair die?

Unbearably, on July 4, 2009, McNair was found dead with multiple bullets in his body in an apartment he was renting in Nashville. Lying next to him was Sahel Kazemi – a woman also known as “Jenni” who had been romantically involved with McNair and had exchanged “love messages” with him on the day of the shooting. At the time of his death, McNair was still married to Mechelle, who later said she had no idea about Kazemi but suspected other affairs had taken place.

Before his death, McNair put his children to bed and then told Kazemi he would come over to check on her after she reported stress-related chest pains. Earlier in the day, McNair had also wired 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 a bullet in his temple. Their bodies were discovered by two of McNair's friends, Wayne Neely and Robert Gaddy, who immediately called the police.

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department later ruled the incident a murder-suicide.

Who was Sahel Kazemi?

Sahel Kazemi, who also went by the name “Jenni,” was a woman known to have been romantically involved with McNair and whose body was found next to his. Kazemi's body had a gunshot wound to the head, leading police to believe it was a tragic murder-suicide in which Kazemi killed McNair before turning the gun on herself. She was said to have worked as a waitress at the restaurant owned by the football player.

On the day of her and McNair's death, Kazemi reportedly sent him a text message saying “you love me,” to which he apparently replied, “I love you, baby.”

According to CBS NewsKazemi was “a financially troubled woman who was heavily dependent on her lover both emotionally and financially.” She is said to have been upset when she suspected McNair was having another affair outside of her own.

Who killed Steve McNair?

While the police are registering the death as a murder-suicide with Kazemi as the shooter, a new Netflix series is questioning the correctness of this verdict. Private detective Vincent Hill once filed a petition to reopen the case.

Hill believes Kazemi's ex-boyfriend Kenneth Norfleet and a former inmate named Adrian Gilliam, who is believed to have sold Kazemi the gun used to kill McNair – and who initially falsely claimed not to know Kazemi – should be put on trial. In 2010, Hill submitted a 32-page dossier to the court seeking a reexamination of the case with Gilliam at the helm. The request was denied.

Where is Steve McNair's wife now?

Mechelle McNair is not active on social media, but she gave an interview to ESPN a few years ago where she talked about how close she is to her two sons and how her life has changed since her husband died. The article said she got a nursing degree a few years ago and was considering becoming a foster mother.

Speaking about her husband's affair with Kazemi, McNair said she was completely shocked after his murder. “I didn't know anything about her. There will be people who say, 'Oh, she knew,'” she said. “Did I know about other people and other things? Yes. But did I know about her? No, I didn't.”

McNair added that she tries to remember her husband with only love in her heart. “He loved us. I know that. Regardless of how he left here, I know he loved us. I can't say I didn't have bitter moments. […] But I will not go to hell by blaming anyone or harboring hatred and hostility in my heart. I will not do that.”

Did Steve McNair have children?

Unfortunately, McNair leaves behind two sons, Tyler and Trent, whom he had with his wife Mechelle, and two more with two other women he met before Mechelle – Stephen LaTreal McNair Junior and Steven O'Brian McNair.

According to an interview with his mother, Tyler – who traded basketball for dancing – went to New York University on an academic scholarship in 2018 at the age of 19. Judging by his social contacts, he seems to be successful and works as a model, dancer and choreographer:

Trent is also passionate about basketball and seems to be doing well. He plays at his university, Palm Beach Atlantic:

Untold: The Murder of Air McNair is now on Netflix

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