Berry, Kings Forward, Commits Suicide After Argument With Wife

Ricky Berry, the Sacramento Kings’ 1988 first-round draft pick, shot himself to death in his new suburban home after an argument with his wife, authorities said today.

Berry’s body was discovered by his wife, Valerie, at 9:45 a.m. in his Fair Oaks residence, where he had lived for only three weeks, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department said. A firearm apparently used in the shooting was found at the scene.

There was no immediate indication when the death occurred, but a neighbor reported hearing a gunshot at 9:35 a.m. and called authorities.

Left a Suicide Note

Ed Close, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman, said Berry, 24, left a suicide note and was found with a gunshot wound to the head in the family room of his home. Close said Berry had argued with his wife the night before and apparently had become despondent.

After the argument, Valerie Berry left the house and spent the evening elsewhere, said Sheriff’s Sgt. Jim Whitwell.

Whitwell said Berry had recently purchased his home and was in the process of moving in when the shooting occurred.

Mike Duncan, booking manager for the Kings, confirmed that Berry had killed himself. He provided no additional details.

Berry, a 6-foot-8 forward, was the 18th player taken in the June, 1988 draft. He starred for his father, Bill, at San Jose State where he was the school’s all-time scoring leader. He was selected to the All-Big West first team three straight years.

Berry had an 11-point average during the 1988-89 season with the Kings, with 45% accuracy from the floor. He played in 64 games for the Kings and started in 21.

Scored in Double Figures

In his final 15 games with the Kings, he averaged 14.8 points. He set a Kings record for three-point goals in one game, hitting seven of 14 in a game Feb. 9 at Arco Arena. He scored in double figures for 32 games, including 10 of the last 11 in the 1988-89 season.

Berry’s father and Bill Russell, the Kings’ vice president and former coach, arrived at Berry’s home shortly before the body was removed by the coroner’s office.

“We are profoundly shocked and saddened at the tragic ending of the life of Ricky Berry,” said Gregg Lukenbill, Sacramento Kings managing general partner. “Ricky was a kind, thoughtful, sensitive, caring and soft-spoken young man who was spirited and talented as an athlete. Our thoughts and our prayers are both with Ricky and with his family in this time of grief.”