Kansas City Chiefs' Jovan Belcher reportedly committed suicide following a number of head injuries, the intake of prescription medication and alcohol abuse.

The 25-year-old took his own life by shooting himself in the car park of the NFL side's training facility after killing his girlfriend Kasandra Perkins, who was the mother of his son.

In a number of e-mails sent to Deadspin, a friend said: "When it comes to prescription medication it is unclear from my perspective whether it was diagnosed and authorised by the team or not.

"However I know he was under the influence of narcotics for pain and I'm sure the toxicology report will reflect this. However, Jovan drank A LOT. On a nightly basis. This is not a mystery as he did so in public and private.

"When it comes to his concussions; if you review the footage of the Cincinnati game he took a few hits to the head directly. He was dazed and was suffering from short term memory loss. He could not remember the events that had taken place prior to that game or what he had said to get Kasi to return home."

Meanwhile, the NFL side secured their second win of the season over the Carolina Panthers a day after the tragedy.