Lorenzen Wright’s Death Ruled a Homicide

According to police in Memphis, the cause of death of Lorenzen Wright has been ruled a homicide by gunshot wound.

From the Associated Press:

Family members had said Wednesday that police told them Wright’s body had been found near an apartment complex. Police delayed confirmation, awaiting an autopsy that confirmed the identity based on dental records, authorities said in a statement. The Shelby County medical examiner’s office reported that Wright died of a gunshot wound, police said.

Wright, a 34-year-old Memphis native, was last seen around midnight July 18. His family filed a missing person report with police on July 22, but investigators said as recently as Monday that they didn’t suspect foul play.

From CBS News:

Relatives of Wright had previously said remains found in a wooded area were his, and Thursday afternoon, the Shelby County Medical Examiner officially identified the victim as Wright. The cause of death has been ruled a homicide by gunshot wound, according to CBS affiliate WREG.

Lorenzen Wright’s Body Found in Memphis

Sad news today as the body of former NBA and University of Memphis basketball player Lorenzen Wright was found in the woods near Memphis.

From Fox Sports:

Wright’s uncle, Curtis Wright, says Memphis police have confirmed to family members that the body found in a wooded area in the southeastern part of the city is the former Grizzlies player, according to The Associated Press.

A law enforcement source also told The Commercial Appeal in Memphis that the body was Wright’s.

According to a police report released on Wednesday, Wright could have been a victim of foul play after he was thought to be seen carrying some amount of cash while leaving his ex-wife’s home in the nearby Memphis suburb of Collierville.

From USA Today:

Nearly 50 people gathered next to a road blocked off by police beside a wooded area about 15 miles south of downtown Memphis.

The 34-year-old Wright was last seen July 18 when he was expected to fly out of town. His family filed a missing person report July 22.

Wright played 13 years in the NBA with five different teams: the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and most recently the Cleveland Cavaliers with 17 games in the 2008-09 season. Wright left the University of Memphis early for the NBA, and the Clippers made him a lottery pick with the No. 7 selection overall.