Coroner: Former Kentucky basketball Melvin Turpin died of self-inflicted gunshot wound

Coroner: Turpin died of self-inflicted gunshot

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A coroner’s report says former Kentucky basketball star Melvin Turpin died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The report Friday gave no other information about the investigation, including whether Turpin left a suicide note. Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn had said Thursday that Turpin took his own life in his Lexington house, but didn’t say how.

Turpin starred for Kentucky from 1980-84. The 6-foot-11 center helped lead the Wildcats to three consecutive regular-season Southeastern Conference titles.

He also played in the NBA for Washington and Cleveland.