The sports world is mourning the sudden loss of Erin Marie Benavides, the ex-wife of former NBA champion Brent Barry, who was found dead at her home in Port Aransas, Texas, on October 14. She was 54.
Police responded to a welfare check at her residence around 7:34 p.m. local time and discovered Benavides with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities have launched an investigation, but foul play is not suspected at this time.
Benavides was a successful attorney, serving as an assistant district attorney in the 48th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, covering Uvalde and Real counties, from 2023 until her death. She was known for handling a heavy caseload of border smuggling cases.
Barry and Benavides were high school sweethearts who married in 1998. They divorced in 2010. Barry, also 54, enjoyed a 14-year NBA career from 1995 to 2009, winning two championships with the San Antonio Spurs and the 1996 Slam Dunk Contest. He later worked as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns and now serves as an NBA analyst.
SameHere Global, a mental health advocacy group, released a statement honoring Benavides. "Erin was Brent Barry’s high school sweetheart. They married in 1998, and she was part of the San Antonio Spurs family during his NBA career," the statement read. "Later, as Erin Benavides, she became a prosecutor in Texas, working a heavy load of border smuggling cases."
The news has resonated deeply within the basketball community, as Barry remains a beloved figure from the Spurs' championship era. This tragedy echoes the recent loss of former UVA teammate Heidi Burge, who passed away at the same age, highlighting the fragility of life.
As the investigation continues, friends and family are left to grapple with the sudden loss. The mental health community has emphasized the importance of seeking help during difficult times, a message that resonates in the wake of such a heartbreaking event.
Our thoughts are with Brent Barry, his family, and all who knew Erin Benavides. May she rest in peace.
