Who was Danielle Breed Long? Former MLB pitcher Charles Haeger found dead after allegedly killing ex-girlfriend
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA: In a horrific series of events, Charles Haeger, a former pitcher for the Dodgers, was found dead on Saturday, October 3, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the Grand Canyon, a day after allegedly killing his ex-girlfriend, reported Scottsdale Police Department. Haeger's body was discovered around 4 pm ET on a trail along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Northern Arizona, Sergeant Ben Hoster, a Scottsdale Police Department spokesman, said in a statement on Saturday night.
Haeger's ex-girlfriend, identified as Danielle Breed Long, was murdered on Friday, October 2. Scottsdale police responded to a call about the sound of gunfire on Friday and arrived at a residence near North Hayden Road and East McCormick Parkway around 6.50 pm ET. The witness of the incident was Danielle's roommate. As per a Fox 10 Phoenix report, the victim’s roommate told police that he heard gunshots at their residence shortly after he got home, and then saw Haeger exit the victim’s bedroom with a handgun. Haeger then pointed the gun at the roommate, police said. "The roommate quickly escaped out of the back of the residence, and he was able to get a neighbor to call 911," they added.
Haeger was a knuckleball pitcher and was selected by the Chicago White Sox in 2001, and he pitched 83 innings in the major leagues from 2006 to 2010. His career included stints with the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox organizations.
Who was Danielle Breed Long?
Danielle was a 34-year-old woman who was killed by Haeger in Scottsdale, Arizona. She owned a bar, 'The Tipsy Coyote Bar and Grill', in Scottsdale, as reported by the Arizona Republic. Journalist Justin Lum tweeted her picture and wrote, "TRAGIC: Loved ones ID murder victim as 34yo Danielle Long. They say she broke up w/ the suspect months ago. I’m told she wanted to get a restraining order. Scottsdale PD says former MLB player Charles Haeger shot & killed her last night in her home. Live at 5. #fox10phoenix." Lum further shared some more pictures from her Africa trip and wrote, "Long traveled to Africa last year on a church mission. Her family says she had such a big heart. She was also a owned a bar in Scottsdale. #fox10phoenix"
TRAGIC: Loved ones ID murder victim as 34yo Danielle Long. They say she broke up w/ the suspect months ago. I’m told she wanted to get a restraining order. Scottsdale PD says former MLB player Charles Haeger shot & killed her last night in her home. Live at 5. #fox10phoenix https://t.co/A7xrKrcikY pic.twitter.com/aMs4sIb1Lj
— Justin Lum (@jlumfox10) October 3, 2020
Long traveled to Africa last year on a church mission. Her family says she had such a big heart. She was also a owned a bar in Scottsdale. #fox10phoenix pic.twitter.com/MAABDSpGKk
— Justin Lum (@jlumfox10) October 4, 2020
Danielle's mother, Jane Long, told FOX 10 Phoenix that she spoke to her daughter an hour before she was killed. “I want him to turn himself in. He broke a lot of people. He shattered a lot of people today and he knows that. He knows that he knows how close our family was. He used to come to the family gatherings and we're talking about having 30 people 40 people every month," she said.
The Cubs organization released a statement about the homicide: "First, we would like to express our condolences to the family of Danielle Breed (Long). Our hearts and prayers go out to her family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. Charles Haeger was hired by the Chicago Cubs organization as a minor league pitching coach in November 2019. Haeger initially attended Spring Training activities, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic which suspended operations and forced the cancellation of the 2020 Minor League season, his role and team interactions have been limited."