ESPN.com · Jun 16, 2016
Coroner: Ex-Huskers RB Phillips' death suicide
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A California coroner says imprisoned former NFL running back Lawrence Phillips had a "Do Not Resuscitate" note taped to his chest when he was found hanging in his cell.
The autopsy report released Wednesday says a deputy Kern County coroner found another note and a picture of Phillips and an unnamed child tucked into Phillips' left sock.
The coroner ruled that the 40-year-old Phillips committed suicide in Kern Valley State Prison in January. He was awaiting a trial that could have brought him the death penalty.
He was charged with killing a former cellmate, 37-year-old Damion Soward, the cousin of former Southern California and NFL wide receiver R. Jay Soward.