A handgun was found near his body in a bedroom of his Oceanside, California, home by officers responding to an emergency call from Seau’s girlfriend Wednesday morning, Oceanside Police Chief Frank McCoy said.
Seau, who suffered a gunshot wound to his chest, could not be revived by paramedics, Chief McCoy said.
"This case, at this point, is being investigated as a suicide," McCoy said.
Seau’s grieving mother cried loudly as she spoke to reporters gathers outside of the home just two hours after police were called there.
"My brother was a loving brother, caring citizen," his sister, Annette Seau, said as she asked the journalist to respect the family’s privacy.
Seau was charged with domestic violence against his 25-year-old live-in girlfriend in October 2010 after police were called to his home.
Hours after that arrest, he drove his car off the cliff and landed on the beach in Carlsbad, California. Police later concluded it was an accident caused by lack of sleep.