Sahel Kazemi and Steve McNair Final Texts Show Worries of Love and Money

By: Sammy Rose Saltzman
Topics: Daily Blotter

(Personal Photo)

Sahel Kazemi allegedly shot and killed Steve McNair, then herself.

NEW YORK (CBS) "Im gonna have all of u soon," Sahel Kazemi texted Steve McNair, her married lover and former NFL star, approximately 24 hours before she shot and killed him, then herself, in his Nashville condo, according to police.

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

The text message conversation between Kazemi, 20, and McNair, 36, in the day before their deaths paints a picture of a frantic woman burdened by financial woes who was heavily dependent on her lover, for both emotional and monetary support.

It's a narrative that is at odds with a CBS News investigation that unearthed evidence suggesting Kazemi was happy in the days before the murder and had money in her bank account.

In the newly released text messages, McNair appears to care for Kazemi, but also resists several of her requests to see him, saying that he has to make sure his children are asleep first.

Nashville police estimate that Kazemi and McNair died at 2 a.m. on July 4, 2009, just one day after she texted the football great, "u love me," to which he responded, "I love u baby" at 2:04 a.m. on July 3.

(Facebook Photo, The Tennessean)

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

But just eight hours later, Kazemi seems frenetic and upset. At 10:05 a.m. on Friday, July 3, Kazemi tells McNair via text message, "Baby I might have a break down im so stressed," saying that she needs to pay "the cell phone bills n the hospital." She then asks McNair to transfer $2,000 to her account, which he says is being transferred in a later message at 4 p.m.

When talking about the money she owes, Kazemi says that she "can hardly breath" and "I just want this pain in my chest to go away." McNair shows concern for his lover, saying, "You want me to come see about u[?]" He then tells Kazemi, "I'm here if u need me."

Later that day, Kazemi seems desperate to see McNair.

"Baby I have to be w u 2nite. I dnt care where," she says at 4:04 p.m.

Getting no response from McNair, who earlier told her he was at the pool with his kids, she prods him, saying, "tell me u gonna be w me," and later at 8:34 p.m., "baby where u gonna be at when I get off."

McNair finally responds to her, saying that he is putting his children to sleep and will meet her when they have finally gone to bed.

After messaging McNair asking if the kids have fallen asleep, Kazemi tells him that she is going to the condo after getting off of work at 11 p.m.

At 12:38 a.m. on July 4, the day of his death, McNair messages Kazemi, saying "On my way."

At 1:14 a.m., Kazemi tells him the door is open.

(AP)

Photo: Steve McNair playing for the Tennessee Titans in 2000.
EXCLUSIVE PICTURES: McNair's Lover Sahel Kazemi
EXCLUSIVE PICTURES: McNair's Other Lover Leah Ignagni

This is the last text message in the conversation that fits the police time-line. An outstanding message that occurred after the estimated time of death raises questions that may never be answered.

"im going to the store," a 2:23 a.m. message from Kazemi states, 23 minutes after the police say she shot herself in the head.

However, T-Mobile Subpoena Compliance Specialist Melanie Caldwell told Nashville authorities that it is possible this message, which was received by McNair's Blackberry at that time, was delayed in transit, and was actually sent earlier.

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

STEVE MCNAIR MURDER
GET FULL COVERAGE

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
July 7, 2009 - McNair Murder: The Girlfriend's Gun
July 7, 2009 - Photos: Steve McNair's Mistress
July 6, 2009 - More Details Released in McNair Murder
July 6, 2009 - The Girl, The Gun and The Dead NFL Star

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by jackie2850 December 2, 2009 6:33 PM EST: Don't die in Nashville, dude. This investigation has been the most closed-minded, irresponsible, amateurish thing I have ever seen. They release a few text messages and spin it like she's upset and despondent. But, anyone who reads the texts knows they aren't. The NPD willingly accepted and proclaimed that Gilliam didn't know her. They never released his text messages, and have discounted the 50 text messages he made on the day of the murder. Forget reading the story in Nashville newspapers; they have locked all the info down, and ignored everything and everyone; they also planted people in chat rooms to shoot everyone down. The NPD are a bunch of yahoo's. I hope one day someone somewhere solves this case. Too late for the poor girl's family, but hopefully one day justice will be done.; Reply to this comment


by tishamorris October 21, 2009 5:34 PM EDT: If she was planning on killing him and/or herself (supposedly the premeditated reason she bought the gun) then why would she be so concerned with paying her bills, i.e. getting $2000 wired, hours before killing herself?? When people are preparing for suicide, they are more relieved b/c they know they will be escaping the stressors, not panicked to pay bills like she was.

The police have completely ignored the psychological aspects to this case. Also, for example, it doesn't make sense the way in which she supposedly killed him. She was clearly in an emotional state based on the txts. An emotional woman doesn't kill execution style! She would be lucky just to get one or two decent shots off, let alone exact, precision shots.

In a normal case where there is a murder trial, the psychological inconsistencies would be at issue via expert witnesses. But conventiently, there won't be a trial with it being a 'murder-suicide.'; Reply to this comment

by badforu October 20, 2009 9:57 PM EDT

The text messages are taken out of context. Who else in on these text machines? What other messages are in between the messages released? What calls was recieved?

Same ole stuff, The Nashville cops only tell you what they want you to know and supports there side of things. They dont show you everything at anytime.

It has been told that Gilliam, the one that supposely sold the gun to her, had been in text and telephone contact with Kazime at least 3 weeks prior to the crime. on the day of the murder there was 49 text between them. I dont know if that is only as far as they can go back, or if the pay as you go phone was changed for Gilliam.

When this case first broke. Gilliam didnt know Kazime. Had to pick out her picture to verify that she was the one he sold the gun too. They never said anything different. Now that this information has been released. In there summary of the investigation, the police mention in there that Gilliam had prior contact with kazime.

heres the report. http://www.police.nashville.gov/news/media/2009/10/McNairSummaryOct09.pdf

So unless you get the full records of someones time line, then your not going to get a full picture of what was going on.

Now that this information has came out that Gilliam knew Kazime. That is very significant. Gilliam was convicted for a triple slaying in florida in 1992, released in 2002. Do not know the circumstances behind that triple slaying. But with gilliam being the only one saying the sell of the gun happened, The changing of times when the gun was supposely sold, busted aibi for reason to be at dave and busters, and now to know that he called kazemi on the night of the murder at 12:02 am and talked for 3 minutes. And Gilliams past conviction of triple murder and 1 armed robbery. This new information should get the case looked at again

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by traffic101 October 21, 2009 9:49 AM EDT: True about the text & the police letting out what they want you to know. However, i don't see a motive for Gilliam to kill, unless you are suggesting he was hired by someone else(the wife perhap had enough?)I don't think there was anything stolen.

These young girls get involved with these older rich guys and put their whole heart in it. They are so nieve to think that these guys really love them. It takes a mature person to realize that love & sex are two separate things. I guess their Momma's didn't teach them.


by badforu October 22, 2009 11:49 AM EDT: Correct, i believe Gilliam was a hired gun. From what can be ferreted out on this guy. He appears to be the town huslter for that area, pimp and player kinda guy. Sold weed, probably dealt in stolen goods.. the regular run of the mill type of hoodlum.

And since Gilliam was probably a hired gun, that would explain why none of what we are told fits. If you dont have the puzzle pieces, then you will never figure it out. Have to remeber that McNair was worth 90 mill dollars. Without knowing his business life as well as personal, how would you ever figure it out.

It might not of been about money. McNair could of been talking to some big wigs girlfriend, and the guy saw it and put the hit out. How would you ever ferret that out? tough

Only Gilliam knows what happened, and he is a hardened criminal and i doubt he is gonna snitch on himself. He is only looking at 10 years max for having the gun, these murders carry a life sentence, if not death. Not hard to figure that one out.