Lawyers representing Zoey Belcher, the daughter of former Chiefs linebacker Javon Belcher and his girlfriend Kasandra Perkins, requested that an exam of the 25-year old’s brain be performed. Analysis shows that Belcher was in all likelihood suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE. The story was first reported on Monday by the Kansas City Star.
CTE is a degenerative disease known to cause dementia, aggression, confusion and depression among people who have suffered repeated head trauma.
Former NFL stars Junior Seau and Dave Duerson were also diagnosed with CTE following post-mortem exams. Both players committed suicide.
On Dec. 1, 2012, Belcher shot and killed Perkins at their residence, then drove to the Chiefs training facility where he shot himself in the parking lot. The results of tests, performed in New York, can be used in ongoing litigation.
