Report: Lorenzen Wright Found Dead

(Update: Lorenzen Wright Death Investigation Ongoing)

Memphis homicide investigators arrived at the scene where the body of former NBA player and University of Memphis star Lorenzen Wright was reportedly found with multiple gunshot wounds on Wednesday.

Police spokeswoman Alyssa Macon-Moore would only confirm to FanHouse that a body had been found in southeast Memphis and homicide investigators were on scene. The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that the body was indeed Wright's and WHBQ-TV reported that Lorenzen's body had sustained a dozen gunshot wounds. Both reports cited sources within the Memphis Police Department.

"This is an ongoing investigation," Macon-Moore said in an e-mail. "When further details are available we will update the media."

Deborah Marion, Wright's mother, and a handful of family members were among the nearly 200 people who gathered outside the crime scene Wednesday night, The Associated Press reported. The distraught Marion was turned away twice by officers, the second time as she attempted to run toward the scene.



"Lorenzen's family has come together to mourn his loss and honor his legacy," said a statement released to The Associated Press by Lorenzen's cousin, Camelle Logan. "We appreciate your thoughts, prayers and condolences as they are comforting at this very difficult time. Additionally, we ask that you please respect our privacy as we try to cope with his sudden loss."

The discovery of Wright's body comes after his family reported him missing last Thursday. Wright, 34, likely had a lot of cash on him when he was last seen leaving his ex-wife's Collierville, Tenn., home, fueling concerns he may be the victim of foul play, according to a Collierville police report released Wednesday.

A source told the Commercial Appeal that police are looking into a 911 hangup call from Wright's cellphone left July 19 -- the day he disappeared.

Wright, the seventh overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, flew in from Atlanta to Memphis to visit friends and his six children, friends told the newspaper.

He was scheduled to catch a ride back to the Atlanta area July 19 with a buddy and with his six kids in tow. He was last seen in the wee hours of that morning, at about 2 a.m., leaving his ex-wife's home. His former wife, Sherra Robinson Wright, 39, told police she doesn't know who he left with or what type of car they were in, according to the missing persons report.

FanHouse staff contributed to this report.