Suicide is an overwhelming tragedy. It leaves heartbreak and questions in its wake. In some cases, there is a note, which may do little to ease loved ones’ pain but can help solve the mystery of “why.” Junior Seau, 43, the former New England Patriots linebacker, who recently died of a gunshot to the chest, left no note. But could there be clues?

Chicago Bears football player Dave Duerson killed himself last year, in the very same manner as Seau. But Duerson answered the “why.” He had been convinced his years on the field had damaged his brain and left instructions to have it studied.

Former footballer Ray Easterling of the Falcons suffered from dementia. Before he killed himself at the age of 62, he filed a lawsuit against the N.F.L. He and 100 other retired players contend that the league improperly cares for those suffering from traumatic brain injury. The suit also seeks enhanced treatment and medical coverage. They join more than 1,500 other players who claim the league hid the dangers of concussions.

But Seau wasn’t part of any lawsuit, so it’s not clear what his view of the charge was. His family, on the other hand, is taking a cue from Duerson and considering having Seau’s brain examined.

In an Associated Press article that appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, former Kansas City Chiefs player Kyle Turley said he “has no doubt that Seau wanted to make sure his brain could be studied for the telltale signs of football-related trauma. That’s why Seau shot himself in the chest instead of the head.”

While many believe Seau’s hard-hitting football career and the resulting trauma to the brain are culprits, others caution against a rush to judgment. Seau’s personal life was troubled. He was divorced, charged with domestic violence against his girlfriend, and survived a 100-foot plunge off a cliff in his SUV. Now, some speculate the accident - Seau claimed he had fallen asleep - was a suicide attempt.

When researchers receive Seau’s brain, they’ll be looking “for signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive degenerative disease that can be caused by multiple concussions and only detected after death.” Junior Seau’s loved ones await those findings. So does the N.F.L.