Who is Adrian Gilliam and where is he now? All about the drug dealer linked to Air McNair's death

Convicted felon Adrian Gilliam was known for his involvement in the tragic death of former NFL quarterback Steve "Air" McNair. Gilliam's name cropped up in an inquiry when it was discovered that he had sold a gun to Sahel Kazemi, McNair's alleged girlfriend, who then used that same weapon to murder McNair before turning the gun on herself and pulling the trigger.

Gilliam, a convicted murderer, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He has served the sentence and is presumably living a low-profile life, far from the media spotlight that once surrounded the case.

Untold: The Murder of Air McNair is a documentary that released on Netflix on August 20, 2024. It takes viewers through the meteoric rise of legendary NFL quarterback Steve McNair, and also reveals the head-scratching details surrounding his shocking murder in 2009.

---

Adrian Gilliam sold a 9mm pistol to Kazemi

Adrian Gilliam's criminal record goes back to a 1993 conviction for murder and attempted armed robbery in Florida. However, Gilliam had then managed to keep out of serious trouble for years before the McNair incident.

His dealings that led to the tragedy started with the selling of a 9mm semiautomatic pistol to Sahel Kazemi for $100.

Collaboration between Gilliam and Kazemi extended to where Nashville police officials said more than 200 calls and text messages were exchanged between the two in the month leading up to the murder-s*icide.

Those messages indicated that Gilliam had been in love with Kazemi, who was McNair's alleged girlfriend at that time.

The police believe that Gilliam probably sold Kazemi the gun as part of his love pursuit. Nothing, however, points to his having knowledge of any plans that she might have in store for McNair.

---

Steve McNair's death connection

Their tragic deaths sent shockwaves through the sporting world. McNair, the star quarterback of the Tennessee Titans, was found dead in a Nashville condominium with Sahel Kazemi, who killed the football star before turning the gun on herself.

Their murder investigations revealed a relationship marred with problems and difficulties.

NFL: NOV 05 Ravens at Titans - Source: Getty

It turned out that Kazemi had financial problems, and she suspected McNair of dating other women. Adrian Gilliam was a friend who was unmasked when it emerged that he sold Kazemi the gun she used on McNair and to shoot herself.

In this regard, Gilliam went on further to lie about his relationship with Kazemi to the police during an interview in which his fiancée was also present.

However, he would later come clean about selling the gun to Kazemi after she had told him about prowlers around her neighbourhood. But because of this initial act of deception, Gilliam was never really a suspect in the murder-s*icide case because nothing had linked him to the actual crime scene other than selling the firearm.

---

The aftermath and Gilliam's sentence

After the investigation, Adrian Gilliam was charged with having been a felon in possession of a firearm—a charge carrying up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. In court, Gilliam expressed that he wished these incidents had never taken place and that his heart goes out to the families of the victims.

He also pleaded with the judge for leniency, citing his family—his daughter was young—to whom he should be at liberty to take care of them. However, U.S. District Court Judge Todd Campbell reminded him of how serious his crimes were and said that this case was a perfect example that showed everyone why criminals should not have guns

Eventually, Gilliam was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. He did his time, and as of the last update, he had been returned to life out of the spotlight.