Junior Seau... DEAD

NFL legend Junior Seau was found dead in his home in Oceanside, CA ... and cops are investigating a shooting ... multiple law enforcement sources tell TMZ. 

Cops are currently at Seau's home just outside San Diego. Seau was 43-years-old ... and leaves behind 3 kids and an ex-wife. 

Seau was a beast in the NFL -- skyrocketing to fame thanks to his explosive play with the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. The USC standout was selected in the first round of the NFL draft in 1990 and played in the league for 20 years. 

Seau was involved in a car accident back in 2010 when he drove his SUV off a cliff in Carlsbad, CA hours after he was arrested for allegedly attacking his girlfriend. Seau later said he was not trying to kill himself ... insisting he had fallen asleep at the wheel.

Facebook Suicide

-Shortly before committing suicide yesterday, a Michigan woman went on her Facebook page and penned a farewell note stating that “i can’t handle this shit anymore,” and that her pain was “too strong…to handle any longer.” Cynthia Lee’s electronic suicide note concluded with a message for her late mother. “mom here I come,” wrote Lee, a 23-year-old mother of three children, the oldest of whom is five. Lee’s mother died in 2007 at age 35. READ MORE