It appears that there is no foul play in the death of longtime sports agent Jeff Sperbeck, and authorities have called the tragedy a “horrific accident.”
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said Friday that investigators have not found any sign of criminal activity surrounding Sperbeck’s fall from a golf cart driven by football Hall of Famer John Elway, The Denver Post reported.
“This appears to be a horrific accident,” Bianco told The Denver Post on Friday. “And unfortunately for all of those involved, one of the people — well, a couple of them — happen to be very high-profile celebrities. And that makes this more of an issue than it probably should be.”
Sperbeck, who was Elway’s agent, suffered the fatal fall last Saturday at the Madison Club, a private country club in California.
Immediately following the accident, Elway’s party called 911.
Bianco told The Denver Post that his sheriff’s department only got involved after a “mᴀssive media inquiry” from multiple media outlets confirmed that Elway was driving the golf cart.
Upon responding to the incident, first responders at the scene did not find any evidence that Elway was intoxicated.
On top of that, the department conducted an equipment investigation on the golf cart and determined that there were no mechanical issues.
“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 added. “And this was not the case.”
Bianco told the outlet that the investigation process would likely be “relatively short” as they are currently looking into surveillance footage and witness testimony.
“We’re doing everything we can to make sure that this is what it appears to be, and just an accident,” Bianco said.
One witness told KESQ on Tuesday about how “scary” the scene was.
“It was so scary. It was like nothing we’ve ever seen,” witness Ali Simon said. “You just don’t think you’re going to ever witness anything like that. His wife was hysterical.”
In his 30 years as an NFL agent, Sperbeck represented over 100 players.
He and Elway eventually became business partners after co-founding wine brand 7Cellars.
Elway said Wednesday that he is “devastated and heartbroken” over Sperbeck’s death.
“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,” Elway said in a statement.
“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.”
