Victim's kin: 'Hearts truly broken'

BREAKING THEIR silence, family members of the woman shot and killed by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher said Monday their "hearts are truly broken" and asked for privacy while they grieve the loss of two loved ones.

Belcher shot and killed his 22-year-old girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, at their Kansas City home Saturday before driving to Arrowhead Stadium, where Belcher committed suicide in the practice facility's parking lot, police said. The couple had a 3-month-old daughter, Zoey.

"Our hearts are truly broken for Kasi was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, mother, cousin and friend," the family said in an emailed statement. "Please keep us in your hearts and prayers as well as the Belcher family."

A spokesman for Jackson County said the medical examiner's office has completed examinations on the bodies of both Belcher and Perkins, and a full autopsy report will not be available for 6 to 8 weeks.

In an incident report released Monday, police said officers were called to the Kansas City home of Belcher, 25, and Perkins about 7:50 a.m. Saturday. Police found Perkins on the floor of the master bathroom. The report said she died from apparent gunshot wounds; they did not say how many times she had been shot.

Belcher then drove about 5 miles to Arrowhead Stadium. There, he was met by general manager Scott Pioli and coach Romeo Crennel, and Belcher thanked them for all they'd done for him.

The police report said that when officers arrived at Arrowhead about 8 a.m., they saw several people in the practice-facility parking lot.

"As they approached, a subject later identified as Jovan Belcher, observed their presence and moved to an area behind a vehicle," the report said. "From that position Belcher shot himself one time in the head." Belcher was taken to a hospital, where he died.

Kansas City police Sgt. Marisa Barnes said Monday that firearms found at the couple's home were legally registered to Belcher. It is unknown how many guns were found.

Police said that Belcher's mother, who had been staying with the couple, was given temporary custody of the couple's daughter.

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