Former Wizard Uche Okafor Found Dead (UPDATED)

Former Wizards defender, Uche Okafor was found dead in his home on Thursday morning. The death is currently being investigated as a suicide as Okafor was found hanged in his home. A sad end to see for a player who was the anchor on the back line for the Wiz/Wizards with Sean Bowers in their first few years of existence. Okafor and Preki were the first two Wizards players to make it to the World Cup where Okafor represented Nigeria. He received 34 caps for his national team, 6 of them as a member of the Wizards.

Okafor, in his 5 seasons with KC appeared in 119 league games (tied for 13th) 107 of them starts (14th), playing 9,513 minutes (13th). He appeared in 130 in all competitions (tied 15th) 116 starts (14th) for 10,281 minutes (15th). Okafor was an anchor on the back line for the team's first 4 seasons. In the 2000 season he was penciled in to start along side Nick Garcia and Peter Vermes, but an illness right before the season put Brandon Prideaux into that spot and the team's play didn't allow Okafor to get as much time. After the MLS Cup win, Okafor announced his retirement. He'd been coaching youth in Dallas and had recently been appearing as a pundit on ESPN.

Truly sad to see one of the original great Wiz players pass away, especially if it's true that he committed suicide, I'd hope that no one every feels that depressed, sad, etc that they feel the only way out is to take their own life. It's not a good place to be mentally.

EDIT: The AP has stated that the death has in fact been ruled a suicide. Truly tragic news about the former Wizard and Nigerian international that is now making news all over the world.