Case Closed: No Criminal Findings in Death of Bills Defensive Tackle Ed Oliver’s Son

Harris County Sheriff’s Office investigators announced that the death of Ed Oliver’s toddler son has been closed with “no criminal findings.” The child, who was a few days shy of his second birthday, was discovered unresponsive in the swimming pool of a home in a community north of Houston and was pronounced dead after transport to a hospital. The incident occurred on June 28, as first confirmed in a statement from Bills general manager Brandon Beane.

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Ed Oliver, 28, is a defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills. He was selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Houston and is entering his eighth season. Oliver appeared in the Bills’ preseason-opening win over Carolina but missed the following week of practice due to an undisclosed injury. He has asked for privacy and prayers while mourning his son, also named Ed.

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The Harris County Sheriff’s Office released a statement saying detectives “thoroughly investigated” the incident and found no criminal activity, prompting the case’s closure. Bills general manager Brandon Beane expressed condolences to Oliver in a public statement following the child’s death. Quarterback Josh Allen offered support to Oliver and the team, emphasizing the need for presence and empathy during the tragedy.

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• “There's nothing that you can say to make the situation any better except being there in whatever ways he needs,” — Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills quarterback.

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The closure of the investigation leaves the cause of the toddler’s death undetermined publicly, while the Bills organization and Oliver’s teammates continue to rally around him during his period of mourning.

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