The drowning death of Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver’s 2-year-old son, also named Ed, was ruled accidental and the investigation is closed, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said, per TMZ.
Harris County’s Homicide Division closed the case and no charges will be filed after the toddler
drowned in the swimming pool at the Oliver’s Texas home.
The tragedy occurred on June 28 when Oliver and his son’s mother found their son unresponsive in the pool.
Police responded to a life-in-danger call at the home and the toddler was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:18 p.m.
Oliver, 28, was reportedly seen speaking with officials outside his home before breaking down in tears.
TMZ reported the news Saturday morning after rumors circulated online.
Podcaster Tony Farmer leaked the news of the death on Friday.
ESPN reported that the Bills had been aware of the incident since it happened, and were “in alignment” with Oliver on revealing details of what happened.
Bills quarterback, Josh Allen — who welcomed a daughter with his wife Hailee Steinfeld in April — explained that he was “very sad and angry” with how the news came out.
‘”First off, I want to say thank you to the ones that knew about it and allowed him to have his moment and his time,” Allen said, according to The Athletic. “It’s very sad in how it came out. It makes me very sad and angry at the same time.
“Obviously, very unfortunate what happened and as a teammate of him, as someone in this locker room, all we can do is love on him. There’s nothing that you can say to make the situation any better except being there in whatever ways he needs.”
The Bills have rallied around Oliver during this devastating time.
“On behalf of the entire Buffalo Bills organization, we want to publicly express our condolences to Ed Oliver and his family on the devastating loss of his son,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said in a statement Saturday.
“It’s an unthinkable tragedy for any parent. We will continue to support Ed and his family as we all grieve this tragic loss.”
Oliver is asking for “privacy and prayers at this very difficult time,” according to a source close to him, per ESPN.
Oliver has spent his entire career with the Bills after they selected with the No. 9 pick out of Houston in the 2019 NFL draft.
