An investigation has officially been launched into the death of Jeff Sperbeck, who died Wednesday, April 30, after falling from a golf cart driven by former NFL quarterback John Elway.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has begun a “purely informational” look into the accident, according to TMZ.
Investigators are reportedly in the process of conducting interviews to determine “if a criminal act occurred.”
Sperbeck, 62, was reportedly thrown from the passenger seat of the golf cart as he, Elway, 64, their wives and Elway’s son, Jack, were returning from a Stagecoach Festival party in La Quinta, California on Saturday, April 26.
Elway was responsible for calling 911 after Sperbeck hit his head and suffered traumatic injuries. When paramedics arrived on the scene, Sperbeck was reportedly still breathing.
After being transported to Desert Regional Medical Center in nearby Palm Springs, Sperbeck was placed on life support before succumbing to his injuries days later.
Sperbeck began working as Elway’s agent in 1990, roughly seven years into the quarterback’s NFL career. Elway won two Super Bowls during a 16-year NFL career, all with the Denver Broncos. He later served as Broncos general manager and executive vice president before transitioning to a consultant role. Elway’s time with the Broncos organization ended in 2023.
Elway and Sperbeck became good friends and business partners off the field, cofounding wine brand 7Cellars in 2015.
In a statement to ESPN on Wednesday, Elway broke his silence about Sperbeck’s death.
“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck,” Elway said. “There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me.”
He continued, “My heart and deepest sympathies go out to Jeff’s wife, Cori; his children Carly, Sam and Jackson; and everyone who knew and loved him. Jeff will be deeply missed for the loyalty, wisdom, friendship and love he brought into my life and the lives of so many others.”
Sperbeck’s family also issued a statement of their own on Wednesday, saying they were “deeply saddened” by his death.
“He was a wonderful father, husband, brother, son and friend to many and will be profoundly missed by all,” the Sperbeck family said. “We are grieving this unimaginable loss as a family alongside our dearest friends the Elways and the many other clients Jeff called friends. We are grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of support that we have received and ask for privacy for our family at this difficult time.”
