Bengals WR Chris Henry is dead.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry died Thursday, one day after falling out of the back of a pickup truck during what police said was a domestic dispute with his fiancee.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said Henry died at 6:36 a.m. He was 26.

“We knew him in a different way than his public persona,” Bengals owner Mike Brown said of the player who was suspended five times during his five-year NFL career. “He had worked through the troubles in his life and had finally seemingly reached the point where everything was going to blossom. And he was going to have the future we all wanted for him. It's painful to us. We feel it in our hearts, and we will miss him.”

via Bengals WR Henry dies from injuries sustained in domestic dispute.

Watching Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals, I was surprised Chris Henry showed up at the wedding of his teammate, rookie Fui Vakapuna. Being that Vakapuna was a rookie, Henry probably got to know him during off season voluntary training which meant, for once, Henry had actually been diligent with his off season workouts and the reports of him getting it together were probably true. Henry was making the Bengals’ last ditch effort to work with him worthwile.

Some people say they saw an untimely demise coming for Henry. Some, like Bengals coach Marvin Lewis had given up on Henry after 5 arrests in under 3 years. Others, especially some who were fans of the Bengals gave him a fifth or sixth chance to fly straight right along with Owner/GM Mike Brown. There’s only one chance to get life right and Henry made a very bad choice during the argument with his fiancée.

The picture of the man with his fiancée and three kids is just rough.

Update: Bengals presser after Henry’s death is here courtesy of NFL.com.

Update: Chris Henry on 9/15/2009 from Cincinnati.com: