Erin Marie Benavides, the woman whose name became entangled in Tony Parker and Eva Longoria's highly publicised marriage breakdown, has died at the age of 54. The former wife of ex-NBA player Brent Barry was found dead inside a home in Port Aransas, Texas, on 14 October, according to reports.
Police reportedly responded to the property after receiving a welfare-check request prompted by a concerning text message Benavides had allegedly sent to a friend of her husband, Pablo 'Paul' Benavides. Officers forced their way inside and discovered her with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities said they did not suspect foul play, although the investigation remained ongoing.
Her death has brought renewed attention to the 2010 scandal that linked her to Parker, who was married to Desperate Housewives star Longoria at the time. However, Benavides' life extended well beyond the headlines, with a career in law and a commitment to helping vulnerable children.
Who Was Erin Barry?
Benavides was previously known as Erin Barry during her marriage to Brent, a former San Antonio Spurs player who was Parker's teammate. The couple had two sons together, and their marriage became a subject of public scrutiny in November 2010 when reports identified Erin as the woman Parker had allegedly been exchanging intimate text messages with.
The controversy erupted after Longoria reportedly discovered hundreds of messages between her husband and another woman. Erin was subsequently identified in media reports as the woman allegedly involved in the exchanges, but she firmly denied having an affair with Parker or pursuing him.
In a statement published on her website in November 2010, Erin wrote: 'I DID NOT HAVE AN AFFAIR WITH TONY PARKER, nor did I "pursue" Tony Parker.' She also maintained that her friendship with the basketball player had nothing to do with the breakdown of her marriage, describing suggestions of an affair as 'naïve, ridiculous, and completely misguided'.
Erin Barry: I DID NOT Have Affair with Tony Parker https://t.co/05uV1o8PPg via @TMZ
— Law Arboleda (@Gau_Rage) November 3, 2026
The scandal unfolded as both couples' marriages were coming to an end, although their divorce proceedings began on different dates. Brent filed for divorce from Erin on 29 October 2010, several weeks before Longoria filed to end her marriage to Parker on 17 November. Parker subsequently filed his own divorce petition in Texas on 20 November, while Brent and Erin's divorce was finalised in January 2011.
Erin Barry Became a Lawyer and Child Advocate
Away from the controversy, Benavides pursued a career in law, eventually becoming a Texas attorney. She graduated from St. Mary's University School of Law in June 2013 and obtained her licence to practise law on 1 November that year.
Her professional career included positions as an assistant district attorney in Comal and Bexar counties, as well as work with Bexar County Juvenile Probation. She also became involved in organisations supporting children who had experienced abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Erin Marie Benavides, previous wife of former San Antonio Spurs player Brent Barry, died Oct. 14 in Port Aransas.
— News 4 San Antonio (@News4SA) November 2, 2026
FULL STORY --> https://t.co/aFgBrKYNLL
Erin formerly served as an assistant district attorney for Uvalde and Real counties. pic.twitter.com/3rlxBtejGd
From 2020 to 2022, Benavides served as president and CEO of the Youth Center of Texas, an organisation that provided support and services to child sex-trafficking victims. Her work also included advocating for children in foster care and supporting initiatives designed to help vulnerable young people.
In January 2023, she joined the 38th Judicial District's Anti-Gang and Border Prosecution Unit, where she handled cases involving human smuggling. However, Benavides left the position in August 2026, approximately two months before her death.
Erin Barry Remembered for Her Work and Love for Her Sons
District Attorney Christina Mitchell, who previously worked with Benavides, paid tribute to her. She remembered her former colleague as a dedicated professional whose humour, generosity and commitment to helping others made a lasting impression.
Mitchell also highlighted Benavides' passion for her children, recalling how proudly she spoke about her sons and their accomplishments. She remembered her distinctive laugh throughout the office, saying it would be greatly missed.
Benavides' death has renewed interest in a chapter of celebrity history that unfolded more than 15 years ago. Yet her legal career, advocacy for vulnerable children and devotion to her family were also important parts of the life she built beyond the controversy.
