Missing Ohio State Player Found Dead With Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound

The body of missing senior Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Kosta Karageorge turned up on Sunday. Authorities say he has an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He had been missing since Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Kosta Karageorge was found dead on Sunday. 

According to a Nov. 30 report written by ESPN’s Austin Ward, George died of an “apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.” He had been missing since Wednesday, Nov. 26:

“The body of missing Ohio State defensive lineman Kosta Karageorge was found by Columbus police on Sunday after a search that started after he went missing on Wednesday. 

“Karageorge, 22, was found dead in a dumpster of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was identified by tattoos at the scene, and a police spokesman said the investigation would continue with both the dumpster and the body of Karageorge being transported to the country morgue. 

“‘At this time, there’s a lot of questions that we’re still trying to work out,’ Sgt. Rich Weiner told reporters at the scene. ‘But he was found inside of the dumpster, the handgun was found inside of the dumpster with him.

“‘At this time we were able to confirm through tattoos here at the scene that it is the body of Kosta Karageorge.’

“A police report says Karageorge’s mother told authorities he has had concussions and spells of confusion. She said he texted a message Wednesday citing the concussions and saying he was sorry if he was ‘an embarrassment.’

“Karageorge was scheduled to be recognized on senior day during Saturday’s home game against rival (the) Michigan (Wolverines), but he had gone missing on Wednesday leading up to the 42-28 win by the No. 6 Buckeyes.

“‘The Ohio State University Department of Athletics was shocked and saddened to learn today of the death of student-athlete Kosta Karageorge, a senior from Columbus,’ the school said in a statement. ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the Karageorge family, and those who knew him, during this most difficult time.’ 

“Karageorge had previously spent three seasons on the Ohio State wrestling team before walking on to help on the defensive line in August.

“‘I mean, I was friends with Kosta before he even joined the team,’ Ohio State left tackle Taylor Decker said Saturday after the game. ‘He’s a great guy, and just for something like that to happen, it’s obviously a shame.

“‘Coming from the wrestling team and coming to help us, you just really hope a guy like that is safe. Stuff like that is a lot bigger than football.'” 

RIP to Ohio States Kosta Karageorge who took his own life. Sad to see young people go so soon. #RIPKosta pic.twitter.com/R4E7GtH06K— Mercer (@Its_Mercer) November 30, 2014

On Nov. 30, USA TODAY Sports‘ Scott Gleeson spoke with neurosurgeon Julian Bailes, who said it is too early to conclude if Karageorge’s death is connected to concussions or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE):

“Julian Bailes, neurosurgeon with the NorthShore Neurological Institute of suburban Chicago, said it is too early and the information is too incomplete to speculate on whether the death was related to concussions or the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

“‘It’s somewhat conjecture to think that’s what led to this (apparent) suicide. We just don’t know,’ said Bailes, a CTE researcher. ‘He is certainly not the typical CTE guy, only in college and so forth. So you don’t know.

“‘The other things, which are often associated with suicide, are mental health issues and/or drug or substance abuse. I just don’t know. I just read a little bit about it the day he went missing.

“‘There are so many factors associated with suicide. You just don’t know.’

“CTE is diagnosed by examination of the brain after death. Researchers have linked the disease to repetitive head trauma. It was diagnosed in the brains of former NFL players who committed suicide, such as Mike Webster, Junio Seau and Dave Duerson.

“‘(Whether to have the brain examined) would be up to his family and then maybe even the medical examiner, depending on the circumstances of his death,’ Bailes said. 

“‘If there’s a legal issue of circumstances, was it foul play or unknown or so forth, the medical examiner could choose to do it. But otherwise the family would have to request it.’

“The Buckeyes defeated Michigan on Saturday, 42-28. Defensive lineman Michael Bennett said afterward that Karageorge missed practices and that teammates started getting nervous Thursday.”

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