Father of Patriots' star kills woman, self, police say

FOXBOROUGH -- The father of Patriots defensive lineman Richard Seymour shot his former girlfriend to death before killing himself early yesterday in Columbia, S.C., police officials there say.

Richard Seymour Sr., 51, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and Coretta Myers, 36, from several shots to her upper body, according to the Richland County (S.C.) Sheriff's Department.

According to a sheriff's department spokesman, the trouble began around midnight Friday. Myers called the department to report a domestic dispute at her home. When police arrived, Seymour, a Gadsden resident, had left, Lieutenant Joseph Pellicci said.

The department received another emergency call at 1:11 a.m., saying shots had been fired at the location.

According to the sheriff's report, Myers was standing in front of her home with friends after a party when Seymour returned. Witnesses told deputies that Myers had said to Seymour, "I told you it's over. Leave me alone."

Myers's sister, Carolyn Weber, told The (S.C.) State that Myers and Seymour had been dating for two years.

The sheriff's report said Seymour left his vehicle and approached Myers holding a handgun. Seymour fired at Myers and chased her down the street, continuing to shoot, the report said.

When deputies returned to the scene, they began searching for the pair with K-9 units. During the search, police received more "shots fired" calls from the area.

Deputies said they discovered the suspect's and victim's bodies and a .40-caliber semiautomatic weapon at approximately 2:50 a.m. in a backyard.

Myers and Seymour were pronounced dead upon arrival at a hospital.

"I heard gunshots, but no argument," Crystal Fogle, who lives near Myers, told The State.

"I called the police and went back to sleep," Fogle said. "I didn't find out there was a murder in my backyard until the police came by in the morning."

The younger Seymour could not be reached for comment yesterday. He was in Miami at the time of the shootings, according to his publicist, and was scheduled to return to his Foxborough-area home last night.

It has been a difficult few months for the Seymour family. In December, Seymour's grandfather died. The Patriot did not start the Dec. 14 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars after missing several practices to attend the funeral in South Carolina.

Seymour, New England's top draft choice in 2001 and a two-time Pro Bowl selection, had a strong bond with his father, who significantly influenced his son's athletic career. Growing up, Seymour spent summers working for his father, a mason contractor.

Though his parents separated when he was 6, they regularly attended Patriots home games.

In January, before the Patriots' second Super Bowl appearance in Seymour's three seasons, his father spoke of his role in Seymour's upbringing.

"I knew if anyone was going to teach him, it was going to be me," said Seymour Sr. "I was telling him, 'No matter what you do in life, you're going to have to work hard at it.' And his way out was football."

The New England Patriots released a statement last night that said, "We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic news involving Richard Seymour's father. We extend our most heartfelt sympathies to Richard during this very difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Seymour family."

Seymour family members declined to comment.