The death of former Miami Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis is still a mystery despite an 11 page autopsy and investigation report from Broward County. The report revealed he was using drugs to cope with a degenerative brain disease, but his cause of death is still unknown.
Davis played in the NFL for 10 years from 2009 to 2018. He was found dead at his Southwest Ranches home on April 1, 2024. His assistant Valentina Bukharova found him naked and on the floor of his home gym. The circumstances of his death have raised questions about long term effects of head trauma and retired athletes.
What Investigators Found at the Scene
According to the report, the surveillance footage from Davis’s home security system showed no signs of foul play. The driver who dropped him off around 7:20 p.m. on March 30, 2024, said Davis was “acting normal” when he arrived. But detectives found some concerning things during the search of the property.
Inside the home, investigators found drug paraphernalia: a burnt spoon, pink and white tablets, clear capsules with white powder, and cannabis gummies. Bukharova, who worked with Davis, told police he would often act “erratic” – running back and forth down the hallway for no reason. Relatives also said Davis had a history of alcohol and drug use.
A toxicology report later showed marijuana, stimulants and psychedelics in his system. With the blunt force injuries, it was a complex picture of his final days.
Autopsy Findings Raise More Questions
The autopsy report showed blunt force trauma, but it was unclear if it was from a fall or something else. Davis had a “linear red abrasion” above his right eye, bleeding from the scalp on the right side, and additional injuries to his upper back, right elbow, and left forearm.
Despite all that, Dr. Rebecca MacDougall, the Broward County medical examiner, couldn’t determine the cause of death. In her final report, she wrote:
“Due to the totality of the circumstances, including inconsistencies between the scene and the autopsy findings, the cause and manner of death is undetermined.”
Now, Davis’s family and fans are left with questions.
The Role of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
During the investigation, Megan Harpe, Davis’s ex-wife, said he had been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) —a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma. Harpe said Davis started using alcohol and drugs to cope with the symptoms of CTE, which include memory loss, mood swings, and erratic behavior.
Before he retired during his first game with the Buffalo Bills in 2018, he was one of the top cornerbacks in the league and had two Pro Bowl appearances. But, his struggles off the field became more and more apparent in the years after he retired.
Harpe and Davis divorced in 2023, but she was still vocal about the toll CTE took on his life. She said his condition got worse over time and he started to do things that scared the people around him.
A Life Cut Short
Born in DC, Davis was a star in football and track in high school and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2009. He played for the Indianapolis Colts, where he met Harpe, and then the Buffalo Bills. He retired mid game and it shocked the sports world and showed the mental and physical toll football takes on its players.
Davis died at 35 in the 6 bedroom home of the grandmother who raised him through a trust. Despite all the info that came out during the investigation, his death remains a mystery—a reminder of the struggles athletes face after head injuries.
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