Lorenzen Wright’s death ruled a homicide; body ‘riddled with bullets’
More details are emerging in the mysterious death of former Atlanta Hawks player Lorenzen Wright.
According to online reports, Wright’s body was found “riddled with bullets” in a wooded area in Southeast Memphis Wednesday afternoon. According to 730 Fox Sports in Memphis, the 34-year-old was shot at least a dozen times and possibly as many as 18 times.
The street near where Wright was found was often used as a shortcut to his mother’s house not far from FedEx’s world headquarters. His mother reported him missing on July 22.
Wright’s friends questioned why police didn’t do more to investigate a 911 call from Wright’s cell phone in the early morning hours of July 19, when he was last seen alive. They wonder if police dropped the ball.
All week long police said they had no indication of foul play in Wright’s disappearance. So when did police become aware of the 911 call with sounds of multiple gunshots in the background?
The Commercial Appeal newspaper, which first reported the call, said a dispatcher in the suburb of Germantown heard a garbled male voice say an expletive and then at least 10 gunshots. The call went dead and no one answered when the dispatcher called back, the newspaper reported.
Collierville spokesman Mark Heuberger said he couldn’t comment on whether his department knew about the call. Family spokeswoman Camelle Logan, Wright’s cousin, declined comment. [link]
In the hours before his death, a woman dropped Wright off at a Memphis restaurant. Later that day he turned up unannounced at his ex-wife’s home where he checked on his six children. Wright had plans to drive his kids to an Atlanta suburb on July 19.
The 6-foot-11 Wright spent two years as a star center at Memphis before entering the NBA draft as a top 10 draft pick in 1996.
Like most young gifted athletes, Wright was lured into a professional basketball career by the promise of big money, expensive clothes, cars and women. In his 13 years with the NBA, Wright played for five NBA teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
According to the AJC: “the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported his custom-built 17-room home in Eads, Tenn., was repossessed in May for $1.3 million, and that his Atlanta house was repossessed in January for $1.1 million.”
Although he never lived up to the billing of a top 10 pick, Wright carved out a niche that enabled him to make over $55 million dollars over his NBA career, and he never hesitated to give back to his hometown.
During his first of three NBA stints in Atlanta, Wright, Penny Hardaway and two other Memphis-area NBA players (Todd Day and Elliot Perry) furnished $10,000 to Travis Butler, a 9-year-old boy who lived with his mother’s corpse for a month out of fear he would be put in foster care if anyone found out she was dead.
“To end his career and his life like this here in some woods, that’s not good,” friend Stan McKinley said. “You don’t do a dog like this. It’s just a really sad day for the city as a whole.” [link]
61 Responses to “Lorenzen Wright’s death ruled a homicide; body ‘riddled with bullets’”
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<–Cleveland Native Here
So sad. RIP.
Fortune/Fame/Hoes, etc., aren't always the keys to true happiness.
It bothers me how many people earn fast money and lose it equally as fast.
It’s always sad to hear news such as this. It’s so sad that often times people feel that the only way out is suicide. Such a sad thing and sad for the family members left behind asking the question (why?).
soo sad that one life is lost for money if it its true…prayers go out to his kids and fam
At first I thought I read “RIP Lorenz Tate”
I was all like, “Oh Lord naw!!! Naw!!! Not my baby Lorenz Tate!!!” But then I got hip to what was going on.
On a side note: FCK Lebron!!!!
*throws middle finger in the air*
That ninja trying to talk side-ways about Cleveland now??? Bytch be gone! You wasn’t really from Cleveland anyways, punk! UGH! Get you outta here!
Sad Story
I remember him when he use to play for the grizzlies…he wasn’t a bad guy getting into trouble atleast from what i remember. All i could think about is his six kids…smh
@IsaiahsMom….yep that’s true. I feel like when these teams recruit these men especially the younger ones, they should provide mandatory personal development training- that focuses on all aspects of what comes with that lifestyle.
@Isiah
y’all shoulda seen the writings on the wall when he said he was a cowboy and yankee fan
Sandra…I heard on the radio that he had several gun shot wounds. And…a 911 call was made from his cell phone and several gun shots could be heard in the background.
shannon04 says:
@IsaiahsMom….yep that’s true. I feel like when these teams recruit these men especially the younger ones, they should provide mandatory personal development training- that focuses on all aspects of what comes with that lifestyle.
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I agree. Most of the times these young people come from nothing, and you give them a fortune they don’t know what to do with it. They should give some kind of financial counseling…..or not pay them so much so soon. Let them earn it.
13 years and can’t pay off $2.5M. everyone has good things to say about him though so i tend to believe this is about money.
also, i’m hearing 12-14 bullet wounds, not one.
13 years in the NBA and both of your houses have been repossessed??? Sad story but how does a person shoot themselves multiple times in an attempt to take their own life? I’ll keep the family in my
renegadesince1985 says:
Sandra…I heard on the radio that he had several gun shot wounds. And…a 911 call was made from his cell phone and several gun shots could be heard in the background.
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thats what i heard. This the first i’m hearing about him killing himself…
@mama
That’s what I was wondering…this is the first place I’ve seen this “suicide” story
Wow, this is sad news. His family are in my prayers.
“Wright was lured into a professional basketball career by the promise of big money, expensive clothes, cars and women.”-Sandra Rose
Come on Sandra… could it be the man just enjoyed the sport? I think there is more to this story. He EASILY could have played overseas or in another country for millions like other older players do.
We are missing some things here…
shannon04 says: @IsaiahsMom….yep that’s true. I feel like when these teams recruit these men especially the younger ones, they should provide mandatory personal development training- that focuses on all aspects of what comes with that lifestyle.
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they do. good agents also have a team of advisors (legal, financial, etc) available for their use. i know an agent and some fools just don’t follow their advice. they learn the hard way.
@Man…..I think so too because it’s being reported that he was shot multiple times. So suicide may not be what this was at all.
Man, I just don’t care™ says: Come on Sandra… could it be the man just enjoyed the sport?
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nope. what the notorious big said?
Very sad! RIP! I send my condolences to his family and friends, especially his children.
@free…and I’m willing to bet that the athletes that don’t follow the advice usually end up like antoine walker….broke as hell and owe everybody in town. I guess alot of it comes from bad money management skills and numerous other things.
@Rene i’ve heard the suicide story before but something’s not adding up. I’m not buying it. Who shoots themselves that many times?
they do. good agents also have a team of advisors (legal, financial, etc) available for their use. i know an agent and some fools just don’t follow their advice. they learn the hard way
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One of my mentor was a financial advisor for major athletes, every year he has to let so go because they never adhere to any of the advise given (I thought he was crazy, because if they didn’t care where their money was going, why not stay on their payroll)
Very Sad
@Sandra, Lorenzen Wright (Ren) is from my hometown in Miss, and he comes from a very tight, loving fam! He was shot multiple times (12 or more) and the shots could be heard from his cell. My heart goes out to his mom, grandmother and kids, such a great loss. Re the comments about millions spent, it costs to provide for multiple people. RIP Lorenzen!
free says:
shannon04 says: @IsaiahsMom….yep that’s true. I feel like when these teams recruit these men especially the younger ones, they should provide mandatory personal development training- that focuses on all aspects of what comes with that lifestyle.
******************************************************
they do. good agents also have a team of advisors (legal, financial, etc) available for their use. i know an agent and some fools just don’t follow their advice. they learn the hard way.
with Free. When they first come into the NBA or NFL they go through classes about legal, financial, etc and they give them advice but it up to the players how they use their $$$$. They also tell them how they need to invest their $$$ but alot of them Like to spend it and be like later they will start to invest..( will the 1′s I know) and what they told me…
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RIP Mr. Wright
This is so sad. I feel for his family and especially his babies. RIP.
WOW I wish he wouldn’t have given up I bet GOD has a lot more promise in store for him so sad he couldn’t see past the now!
@TINK TINK
“they do. good agents also have a team of advisors (legal, financial, etc) available for their use. i know an agent and some fools just don’t follow their advice. they learn the hard way
_________________________________________________________________________
One of my mentor was a financial advisor for major athletes, every year he has to let so go because they never adhere to any of the advise given (I thought he was crazy, because if they didn’t care where their money was going, why not stay on their payroll)”
____________________________________________________________________________
Oh no. I used to do that and it may sound good to stay on their payroll but in the end it will RUIN your reputation. Trust me, if you are a FA (financial advisor) your reputation is EVERYTHING. If one of your clients winds up bankrupt or what not, it could dayum near end your career.
I had two celebrities clients. One an athlete and the other a rapper… both ASSUMED the money would keep rollin in.
Also, I’ve found young people in general were terrible with money. The more money they had, the worse they were. :/
**beautiful Rottweiler in pic number 3**
Man, I just don’t care™ says:
**beautiful Rottweiler in pic number 3**
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For real, dog healthy as hell!
What I want to know is when will senseless killings among blacks cease?!!!! It is at epidemic proportions and getting worse! Why are these young men/women so soul-less and care absolutley nothing about HUMAN lives?! I know other races are killers too, but we kill our own!
If he was killed that’s horrible. If it’s Suicide that a selfish act. I
for the family in either event.
Man, I just don’t care™ says:
@TINK TINK
“they do. good agents also have a team of advisors (legal, financial, etc) available for their use. i know an agent and some fools just don’t follow their advice. they learn the hard way
_________________________________________________________________________
One of my mentor was a financial advisor for major athletes, every year he has to let so go because they never adhere to any of the advise given (I thought he was crazy, because if they didn’t care where their money was going, why not stay on their payroll)”
____________________________________________________________________________
Oh no. I used to do that and it may sound good to stay on their payroll but in the end it will RUIN your reputation. Trust me, if you are a FA (financial advisor) your reputation is EVERYTHING. If one of your clients winds up bankrupt or what not, it could dayum near end your career.
I had two celebrities clients. One an athlete and the other a rapper… both ASSUMED the money would keep rollin in. Also, I’ve found young people in general were terrible with money. The more money they had, the worse they were.
The more money they had, the worse they were. Like I told my friend to start investing his $$ and told me he was trying to see it right now. I was like ok, hope you play for a long time then.
————
Most of them are terrible w/ $$$. Then everyone in the fam got their hand out.
I am from Memphis and this was not suicide. He was shot 10 to 12 times and it could be heard on a 911 call when a call was received by his cell phone. R.I.P. Lorenzen, you will be missed. Lorenzen was a great person who represented Memphis, the University of Memphis and his N.B.A. teams well. He had a great reputation for giving back and being a positive influence in his community. The Memphis fans will miss him sorely… I hope they find whoever did this to him and they are brought to justice because no one should die like that.
Oh no. I used to do that and it may sound good to stay on their payroll but in the end it will RUIN your reputation. Trust me, if you are a FA (financial advisor) your reputation is EVERYTHING. If one of your clients winds up bankrupt or what not, it could dayum near end your career.
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Yea, that is exactly what he said to me when I made that statement a couple of years ago.
Wow such a sad story. I feel sorry for his family.
Ok how can it be self inflicted if he was shot multiple times? Im confused. I’m praying for his family, may God give them strength through this hard time.
Indeed sad and I have heard the same, this was MURDER.
for his family and children. This is another sad story, where children are left without a parent.
a thousand rumors swirl around Memphis. The News Media here is notorious for erroneous accounts.
some news people are saying its self inflected, some are saying he was shot multiple times nothing has been confirmed…but for what I heard he was a good guy always giving and doing for his city…but on the flipside I also heard he gambled alot and wasted alot of money on his “buddies” regardless its still a sad story…where the hell is that lady Detective Mason frm first 48 hours????
Wait I thought from the 911 call there was multiple shot fired?
RIP LORENZEN, IM GLAD SOMEONE NOTICED THIS THAT WASNT IN MEMPHIS. THANKS SANDRA.
So sad. RIP
That is such a shame. Ugh…people are so much more savage these days.
this goes along more with the the story i heard on the radio…
RIP Mr. Wright..
I just realized this was an update to yesterday post.
Its really sad….but most of didn’t think it was suicide. And I agree….why didn’t they investigate the gunshots heard over the 911 call. I mean towers, pins, etc. Shoot, when my cousins was lil they called 911 and hung up…cops still came knocking (they gave the kiddies are talkin to)…so i’m curious about that
I”m curious if your gonna post that story about lawrence fishburne’s daughter?
@starr Whats the story? Please dont make me google…..
His daughter is getting into porn…cuz she wants to be like kim kardash….. via T M Z
Okay…Guys!! HE DID NOT COMMIT SUICIDE. A person can’t riddle his
OWN body with bullets. I’m sure the first bullet wound would be quite
stunning. I’m sure you can’t shoot yourself 11 or 12 times, which is
what I’ve heard ended his life.
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Lorenzen’s financial situation is heard so often among the newly rich,
both Black and White. What I’ve never understood is why these people
don’t at least buy their homes outright. At least they’ll have a place
to live when their careers take a down turn. And contrary to what a lot
of these new monied folks seem to think, you cannot support everyone in
your family, buy them million dollar homes and expensive automobiles.
That will eat right through the biggest of paychecks. Buy Mom a home,
Dad a nice car and help everybody else with their tuition. But you
can’t sit everybody in your family down. That’s where a lot of these
entertainers and athletes go wrong.
Morning Fam
<–yall should know its water by now
RIP another black man lost so tired of stories like these
*clutches pearls* @the Laurence Fisborunes daughters story I :pray thats not true
starr says:
His daughter is getting into porn…cuz she wants to be like kim kardash….. via T M Z
(seriously hoping its not tru)
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@winenroses…. That’s what I’m saying. If got got a lump sum of money I’m first buying straight cash my house. At least if something happens you can pull out some equity. I just don’t understand why they don’t pay cash and put money in escrow for the property taxes. Maybe they pay out right and just can’t afford the property taxes
He was such a nice person , I hope this scumbag is bought ti justice !!!!!!
This is horrible it’s an odd trend that these athletes are being killed and dying…
The love and worship of money seems to continually kill young men in our community. It seems to be some people’s god that they will do anything for; very scary.