Erin Benavides, the Texas woman previously linked to a cheating scandal involving Eva Longoria and Tony Parker, died by suicide on October 14, according to Port Aransas police. Lieutenant Joseph Rivas told TMZ that Benavides had been dealing with mental illness and recorded her struggles in a journal.
Rivas said the journal contained several dozen pages describing problems that contributed to a decline in her mental health. He said her death was connected to difficulties in her day-to-day life, which she found especially hard to manage.
Police received a call from a friend of Benavides’ current husband, who said he had received a six-word text that raised concerns she might be suicidal. The friend, who was at home in Pleasanton, Texas, asked officers to check on her.
Three officers went to Benavides’ home and knocked on the front door. After receiving no response, one officer looked through a nearby window and saw her lying on her bed and bleeding. Officers then forced their way inside and found her dead in the bedroom, Rivas said.
The Nueces County Medical Examiner ruled that Benavides died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and classified the death as suicide.
Benavides had allegedly been involved with Parker while he played for the San Antonio Spurs. Longoria reportedly learned of the relationship after finding hundreds of text messages between them. Benavides was married to Parker’s teammate Brent Barry at the time; the scandal was reported to have contributed to the end of both marriages.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Sources: TMZ.