Erin Benavides, a woman linked to the 2010 scandal involving former San Antonio Spurs player Tony Parker and Eva Longoria, has died by suicide at 54. Benavides was found inside a home in Port Aransas, Texas, on October 14, after police conducted a welfare check prompted by an alarming text message she reportedly sent to a friend of her husband.
According to the San Antonio Express-News, officers forced their way into the property and found Benavides with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities do not suspect foul play, although the investigation remains active.
Benavides made headlines in 2010 after reports linked her to Parker, who was married to Longoria at the time. Benavides was then married to Brent Barry, Parker’s former Spurs teammate. The allegations followed Longoria’s reported discovery of hundreds of text messages between Parker and another woman, who was later identified in reports as Benavides. Benavides publicly denied having an affair, while Parker reportedly denied any physical relationship.
Both marriages ended around the same period. Longoria filed for divorce from Parker in November 2010, and Benavides and Barry also separated.
Benavides later became an attorney and worked as an assistant district attorney in Texas, where she handled human-smuggling cases. She also advocated for children in foster care and trafficking victims. Her former boss, District Attorney Christina Mitchell, remembered her for her professional dedication, sense of humor and love for her sons.
People who are struggling or in crisis can call or text 988 or use the chat service at 988lifeline.org.
Sources: TMZ.