Exclusive: Was Steve McNair Murder Investigation Flawed? Was Lover Really Suicidal?

By: Sammy Rose Saltzman
Topics: Daily Blotter

(Personal Photo)

Personal Photo: Sahel Kazemi.

NEW YORK (CBS) Four days after the shooting death of former NFL star Steve McNair, police delivered their verdict on the Fourth of July killing: it was a murder- suicide. McNair's jilted girlfriend, Sahel Kazemi, 20, shot the former quarterback four times inside his rented Nashville condo, then turned the gun on herself, authorities said.

EXCLUSIVE PICTURES: McNair's Lover Sahel Kazemi
EXCLUSIVE PICTURES: McNair's Other Lover Leah Ignagni

(Courtesy of Keith Norfleet)

Family Photo: Sahel Kazemi.

Now, a CBS News exclusive is raising questions about the police findings, and whether Kazemi was really intent on taking both their lives, as police believe.

In the report by CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian, several people close to Kazemi, who was known as "Jenni," are speaking about the case for the first time.

"I still feel like something is missing, I don't think Jenni ever shot McNair, I don't think Jenni shot herself," Lakresia Polite, a friend of Kazemi's said.

VIDEO: Early Show Investigation into McNair murder.
Story: More Doubts about Steve McNair Death Probe

Nashville authorities' theory of the crime casts Kazemi, McNair's 20-year-old girlfriend, as a distraught woman who was in debt, had recently been arrested, and whose life was "spinning out of control," a police spokesperson said in a press conference.

But her former live-in boyfriend of four years, Keith Norfleet, told Keteyian that Kazemi, a Dave & Buster's server, was "outgoing."

(Facebook Photo, The Tennessean)

Facebook Photo: Sahel Kazemi
EXCLUSIVE PICTURES: McNair's Lover Sahel Kazemi
EXCLUSIVE PICTURES: McNair's Other Lover Leah Ignagni

She was "positive," and "very happy and upbeat all the time," he said.

Kazemi was arrested for DUI two days before she and McNair were found shot to death. Police say the arrest provoked her to purchase a gun that same day -- the gun which was used to take both their lives about forty-eight hours later.

However, a jailhouse video shows Kazemi was in good spirits despite the DUI arrest.

CBS News also obtained Kazemi's bank statement from the day she died, which shows she had more than $2,500 in her checking account—enough to cover her bills.

"There are a bunch of inconsistencies that would cause me to go back and investigate it further," said Wayne Black, a former police detective and licensed investigator with 36 years of experience.

Tomorrow, Keteyian will reveal that the man who claims to have sold the pistol to Kazemi lied to authorities, raising additional questions about the authorities' investigation of McNair's murder.

PHOTOS
EXCLUSIVE PICTURES: McNair's Lover Sahel Kazemi
EXCLUSIVE PICTURES: McNair's Other Lover Leah Ignagni

EARLY SHOW INVESTIGATION
Story: More Doubts about Steve McNair Death Probe
Story: Steve McNair Death Probe Questioned

FULL COVERAGE: Steve McNair's Murder
Story: Steve McNair Death Probe Questioned

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
October 20, 2009 - Sahel Kazemi and Steve McNair Final Texts Show Worries of Love and Money
October 20, 2009 - Leah Ignagni Photos: First Pictures Appear on CBS News Crimesider
October 20, 2009 - Leah Ignagni Identified as Steve McNair's Other Lover in Police Report (Pictures)
October 20, 2009 - Sahel Kazemi Photos: Exclusive Never-Before-Seen Pictures of Steve McNair's Lover
October 20, 2009 - Exclusive Phone Records: Steve McNair's Lover Sahel Kazemi and Gun Seller Were In Constant Contact
October 19, 2009 - Exclusive: Was Steve McNair Murder Investigation Flawed? Was Lover Really Suicidal?
October 19, 2009 - CBS EXCLUSIVE: Shocking New Evidence in Steve McNair Murder To Be Released Monday

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by MisterJayEm October 19, 2009 2:46 PM EDT: Quick reminder: If you don't cheat on your wife, you'll never be killed by your mistress.

And it will probably lower the probability of your being killed by your wife too.

-- MrJM; Reply to this comment

by samorris404 October 19, 2009 8:06 AM EDT

I forgot to mention she purchased the gun that killed both of them.

Reply to this comment


by badforu October 20, 2009 1:17 PM EDT: Only the person that sold her the gun, this felon that was convicted in Florida for a TRIPLE murder, SAYS he sold her the gun. There is no proof other then his word that proves that he sold the gun to Kazime. If he didnt sell her the gun, then its his.

Strangely now theres mass confusion as to when this supposed sale took place. Since the intial facts didnt line up, I guess they changed the Gun sale from Thursday evening till friday evening.

Also now that we know that Kazime and Gilliam didnt just happenstance met each other for the first time that day to discuss the sale of her Kia, as has been reported and supported by the NPD. Just one more lie told by the Police Chief of Nashville. Now we need to know in what capacity was there relationship ( just my thought... Gilliam was her weed connection)


by samorris404 October 19, 2009 8:05 AM EDT: I knew this was a BS story when I saw the caption. She killed Steve McNair because she had convinced herself and her family that he was going to marry her. If he was not divorcing his wife and marry her in her custom she would be an embarrassment to her family. Now they are trying to clear her name. Get over it she was running with someone's husband she is no where near as innocent as the media want to make her. She drank heavily and smoked weed so just like Steve she was no saint. You spent more than enough time trying to run his name through the mud.; Reply to this comment