The investigation into the death of Jeff Sperbeck, the friend and agent of NFL great John Elway, has officially reached a conclusion.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has ruled that there was no criminal activity involved and ruled Sperbeck’s death an accident.
“It’s over,’’ Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco told Denver’s 9NEWS on Friday, July 11. “We’ve talked to everyone involved and we found nothing new. There was nothing criminal, it was what we’ve been saying all along that this was a tragic accident.”
The Sheriff’s Office plans on making a formal announcement in the coming days. Us Weekly has reached out for confirmation.
Elway, 64, was driving a golf cart in La Quinta, California on April 26, when Sperbeck, 62, fell off and suffered blunt force trauma to his head. He was pronounced dead on April 30.
“I’ve looked at video 100 times and there’s no explanation as to why he fell off, he just fell off,’’ Bianco said.
Bianco had hoped to conclude the investigation in mid-May, but waited until video from 18 additional residents in the area of the incident could be viewed.
Once that was completed, Bianco said there was no additional evidence to support anything other than an accident.
Bianco had previously stated that an investigation into Sperbeck’s death was only opened after “a massive media inquiry” was made after it became known Elway was behind the wheel of the golf cart at the time.
“It is common practice for medical personnel, whether it be an ambulance personnel or hospital personnel or even fire personnel, to call us after the scene of an accident because something doesn’t look right,” Bianco explained. “And this was not the case.”
Bianco said there was no evidence to suggest that Elway was intoxicated at the time of the crash or that the golf cart showed any signs of malfunction.
During his 16-year NFL career, Elway won two Super Bowls l with the Denver Broncos, from 1983 to 1998. He later served as the team’s general manager and executive vice president before transitioning to a consultant role. Elway’s time with the Broncos organization ended in 2023.
Sperbeck and Elway’s professional relationship started in 1990, when Sperbeck began working as Elway’s agent. In 2015, Elway and Sperbeck cofounded the wine brand, 7Cellars.
Elway issued a statement about Sperbeck’s death on April 30, the same day he was pronounced dead.
“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck,” Elway said. “There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me.”
He continued, “My heart and deepest sympathies go out to Jeff’s wife, Cori; his children Carly, Sam and Jackson; and everyone who knew and loved him. Jeff will be deeply missed for the loyalty, wisdom, friendship and love he brought into my life and the lives of so many others.”
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