Monroe Chat

WLWT Reports:

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry remained hospitalized Thursday after an accident during a domestic dispute left him with "life-threatening" injuries.

The incident occurred in Charlotte, N.C., just before noon on Wednesday.

Police said Henry and his fiancée, Loleini Tonga, who lives in the area, had been arguing when Tonga tried to drive away in a pickup.

Henry jumped into the bed of the pickup and the couple continued arguing as Tonga drove, police said.

Police said Henry fell out of the pickup at some point and landed in the roadway, causing life-threatening injuries. He was taken to the Carolinas Medical Center. A hospital spokesperson told WLWT Thursday morning that no information about Henry's condition would be released.

FOX Sports reported that Henry is on life support, although that information has not been independently confirmed.

Police were expected to be released the 911 tapes Thursday, which could shed more light on what happened.

Homicide detectives were called to the scene of the incident to investigate, which is customary under the circumstances. Tonga was cooperating with the investigation. No charges had been filed.

Henry and Tonga have three children together.

Family members were said to be at Henry's bedside in the hospital, including his fiancée.

Reporter Eric Flack, who boarded a flight to Charlotte Wednesday evening to cover the story for WLWT, said that Henry's mother was on the same plane headed for Charlotte. She did not want to speak about Henry's condition.

Flack reported that several flight attendants approached Henry's mother to offer their condolences. He said she prayed and read the bible on the flight from Cincinnati to Charlotte.

A source within the Cincinnati Police Department confirmed for WLWT that their officers went to the home of Henry's mother to inform her of the accident and his condition.

One of Henry's agents released a statement Wednesday night about his condition. "We ask everyone to pray for Chris," said agent Andy Simms of PlayersRep Sports. "We also ask that you respect the privacy of Chris' family. Chris is indeed battling for his life tonight, and our thoughts and prayers (are) with him during this extremely difficult time."

It's been announced that he passed away this morning, 6:30ish I beleive.

Amid claims that Chris Henry was heard to have said that he would throw himself to his death (a witness has stated) I feel so incredibly sorry that his life ended in such a way, most especially for his Family. It is regretful that he had chosen on many occasions to be reckless, many remember him for those reasons not as being a talented football player.

Sad, sad, sad....


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WCPO Reports:
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Tributes continued to pour in Friday for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry, who died Thursday following a domestic dispute with his fiancé and car accident in North Carolina.

A memorial was begun at the flagpole at Central Avenue and Mehring Way outside Paul Brown Stadium. Flowers, candles and signs with Henry's #15 were left in his honor.

Jerome Jackson traveled from College Hill to write a message.

"I just wrote that he was a great player in Cincinnati for the time that he played," Jackson said. "We enjoyed watching him and he will be greatly missed and we will always love him."

Westwood resident Ollie Dee Turner, III, paid his respects as well. Turner said he had past brushes with authority, but like Henry he had turned his life around. The key was a brief chance meeting with Henry in Florence.

"He gave me a couple of choice words that positively turned my life around and I'm just here today for moral support for him and and family and also for the team," Turner stated.

Other tributes were just as public. The Bengals web site had an introductory page with pictures of Henry and #15. The electronic sign atop Paul Brown Stadium often displayed #15 as well. One of the retaining walls along I-71 in Mount Adams contained graffiti with the late player's name and number.

Meanwhile, in Charlotte, North Carolina, investigators continued to try to find answers to why Henry and his fiancée had argued, why she left her house in a pickup truck with Henry in the back, and whether a witness was correct that Henry yelled he would kill himself if the fiancée didn't stop the vehicle.

Bengals players were still stunned Friday by the loss of a teammate and friend, but they pressed on with preparations for Sunday's 4:15 p.m. game in San Diego with the Chargers. A victory clinches a spot in the NFL playoffs.

Henry's untimely death and the sudden loss of Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer's wife will provide a great deal of inspiration for the team with its nine wins and four losses.

"The motivation for this game -- I don't think you can describe it because loved both of them -- Vicky and Chris -- like a mother and a brother," said Wide Receiver Jerome Simpson. "We're just going to play our hearts out."

The Bengals often have had trouble winning games on the West Coast, but players say failure is not an option.

"We've got to live Chris' legacy -- the attitude he brought every day and the way he was able to turn his life around," said Offensive Tackle Andrew Whitworth. "It's a positive message for everybody on this team."

Offensive Guard Bobbie Williams said he hopes the team is energized enough to travel the often rock road to the Super Bowl.

"It's going to be that fire for us for the rest of the season," Williams said. "No matter where this road takes us that fire is going to burn and it's going to burn strong inside of us."

Cornerback Jonathan Joseph says the team can't change what happened to Henry. The only thing the players and coaches can control is the future.

"I think it's extra motivation for us because he meant so much to this team and guys cared so much about him and that's the same way he felt about us," Joseph added.

Funeral services for Henry are set for Tuesday in Gretna, Louisiana, just across the Mississippi River from New Orleans.