COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – The father of New England defensive tackle Richard Seymour was found dead Sunday in what police called a murder-suicide.

Richard Seymour, 51, shot his girlfriend and himself early Sunday morning, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said.

Police answered a domestic call before midnight at Coretta Myers’ home, where she was celebrating her 36th birthday with a party, Richland County Sheriff’s spokesman Joseph Pellicci told WIS-TV in Columbia.

Police asked Seymour to leave but he returned shortly after 1 a.m., Pellicci said.

“He began firing shots at her, then chased her down the street,” Pellicci said.

Myers’ older sister, Carolyn Johnson, said the couple had been dating at least a year and seemed to get along well.

“My heart goes out to both my family and his family,” Johnson told the television station.

Myers leaves behind three sons.

Seymour’s son has played for the Patriots since 2001.

AP-ES-04-25-04 1957EDT