Emotions Spill Over For Chris Henry's Fiancée

There's no doubt it's been an emotional week for Loleini Tonga.

Seven days ago she and her fiance, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry, were making plans for their March, 2010 wedding.

Now, Henry is gone and a police investigation in North Carolina remains open with charges possible.

Authorities say a domestic dispute caused Tonga to drive away from her family's house in a pickup truck with Henry in the back. A witness said he heard Henry say he would take his own life if she didn't stop.

Moments later, he fell from the truck to the pavement and suffered fatal blunt force trauma.

Tonga remained in seclusion and had not spoken publicly until Tuesday during Henry's funeral in Westwego, Louisiana, near his boyhood home in Belle Chasse.

She was one of a dozen speakers to eulogize #15 and celebrate his 26 years on Earth during the service near New Orleans.

As she stepped to the podium wearing dark sunglasses, her three children nearby, Tonga fought back tears and sobs to address hundreds of mourners.

Nothing was said about the North Carolina incident. Instead, Tonga focused on the emotional roller coaster she's been riding.

"Nobody is feeling the way I'm feeling right now," she intoned. "No one could explain the relationship that Chris and I had. We were together six years through good times and bad times. We loved each other very much."

Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis, teammates and other Henry friends have said that Tonga turned Chris' life around into a devoted family man.

His fiancée took issue with that.

"They say that I changed his life -- or helped change his life," she said as her voice got stronger. "No. He changed mine."

Looking out over the faces of family members, Bengals players, representatives from other NFL teams, high school coaches and friends, Tonga thanked them all for coming to show how much they loved #15.

Turning to the children -- two of them with Henry -- she said, "Daddy loves you guys. Mommy will do her hardest to stay strong. God has a plan for Chris and our family."

"He'll always be with us," Tonga concluded. "I love you. I miss you so much."

Tonga's father, Chief Warrant Officer Saimone Tonga, spoke for the rest of his family saying, "We will miss you. You will never be forgotten."

Prior to the service, Bengals players greeted her warmly with hugs and whispered words as they entered the Alario Center.

"You can't express love enough in a situation this," said Bengals Offensive Tackle Andrew Whitworth. "I mean the pain and feelings they have. You can never replace them or make them feel a different way, but you can remind them that you love them."

"We're searching for some closure," Whitworth said for himself and his teammates. "We're his brothers and for this team especially it's tough because he means so much to us and we love him so much."

The Bengals are wearing a decal of #15 on their helmets in tribute to Henry. Coaches have pins with the number on their jackets or shirts. The rest of the regular season and playoff games have been dedicated to his memory.

Fans entering Paul Brown Stadium prior to Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs will receive a commemorative "15" decal in honor of Henry. The team will also hold a special ceremony for their fallen teammate.

"These guys held Chris' hand in many, many quiet moments," said Head Coach Marvin Lewis of the players' relationship with Henry.

"I hope people remember Chris' smile, the sparkle in his eyes and the joy he brought to many people," Lewis added.