Entertainment Sports Vernon Davis Says He’s Shocked by Brother Vontae Davis’ Death at 35: ‘Right Now We Have No Answers’ Vontae, who retired in 2018, was found dead in Southwest Ranches, Florida on the morning of April 1 By Gabrielle Rockson Gabrielle Rockson Gabrielle Rockson is a staff writer-reporter for PEOPLE. She joined PEOPLE in 2023 and covers entertainment and human interest stories. She's interviewed David Beckham, Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet and many others. Her previous work can be found in OK! Magazine, MyLondon, GRM Daily, and more. People Editorial Guidelines Published on April 4, 2024 12:03PM EDT Close (L-R) Vernon and Vontae Davis in 2013. Photo: Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Vernon Davis is opening up about his brother’s death. In a new interview with the Daily Mail, the former NFL player, 40, said that he’s been left in shock after the passing of his 35-year-old brother and fellow football pro Vontae Davis on Monday. “This thing definitely caught me by surprise. I just don't know what to make of it,” Vernon told the outlet. “I'm leaning on the detectives to figure it out but right now we have no answers. They are going to run tests and they said they'll get back to us.” “It could be as long as a month, a month and a half, until we know anything.” he added. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2024 (L-R) Vontae and Vernon Davis in 2010. Rick Diamond/Getty Images Vernon also told the outlet that he believes his younger brother may have slipped or collapsed after leaving a sauna. Meanwhile, Vontae’s ex wife Megan Harpe suggested the former cornerback was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). “Yes he had CTE … there is definitely a story here,” she wrote in a text message to the Daily Mail,. Vernon Davis Says 'a Lot' of NFL Players Reach Out for Acting Advice: 'I Try to Guide Them' According to the Mayo Clinic, CTE is a brain disorder that is likely caused by repeated head injuries. The only way to diagnose the condition is after death. While Vernon revealed that his brother was diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder when he was younger, he said that Vontae's health appeared to be in good condition and that he had never said anything about a brain injury. Vontae Davis in 2015. Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty “Maybe that's the case, maybe it's not. We don't really have an answer to that because there is no way to see into our brain while we live," Vernon said. “Vontae never really showed a history of using drugs or anything like that.” “I was at his house two weeks ago and he had the massage therapist there. He had a stretch therapist, a chiropractor, you name it,” he added. Vontae, who retired in 2018, was found dead in the home of his grandmother in Southwest Ranches, Florida on the morning of April 1. “Preliminary information suggests that foul play is not involved,” police said in a statement to PEOPLE. “The investigation remains ACTIVE.” According to Miami ABC affiliate WPLG and NBC Miami, his assistant called the police to report that a woman had found Vontae unresponsive in the home gym of the residence.