Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry has died following a fall from a moving pick-up truck during a dispute with his fiancee, police said.

Henry, who was 26, died in hospital at 6:36am (Cincinnati time) on Thursday, Charlotte police said. The National Football League receiver had been on life support through the night.

"Detectives continue to work diligently on this active investigation," police said in the statement announcing Henry's death.

Henry, a troubled player who was arrested five times and suspended five times during his NFL career, suffered a broken forearm during a victory last month over Baltimore and was out for the season.

"What I saw was a good person at heart. Sometimes he wasn't described that way but that's how I knew him," Bengals owner Mike Brown said. "It's a terrible tragedy."

Chad Ochocinco fought back tears as he talked about his fellow Bengals receiver, who he had spoken with just two days earlier.

"It's sad it has come to this point. He had been doing everything right. He was taking care of his business," Ochocinco said. "He was on the right path."

Police said a dispute between Henry and his fiancee began at a house about half a mile from where he was eventually discovered near a residential roadway.

Henry jumped into the back of a pick-up truck as the woman drove away and continued the dispute, police said, adding that at some point while she was driving Henry fell out.

Henry was taken to Carolinas Medical Centre with what police described only as "life-threatening injuries".

While police did not mention Henry's fiancee by name, he was known to be engaged to marry Loleini Tonga in March. The couple has been raising three children.

"He had made positive changes," said Andy Simms, Henry's agent. "We ask that you keep Chris's family - especially the young children he leaves behind - in your prayers."

The Bengals dropped troubled Henry after the 2007 season after his fifth arrest but Brown brought him back a few months later, signing him to a two-year deal and helping him conquer past problems.

The Bengals are currently making preparations for a crucial gridiron match-up of division leaders at San Diego on Sunday where a victory would seal a play-off berth.

"We are greatly saddened by today's tragic news about the loss of Chris Henry," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Chris's family, including his Bengals family. We have been in contact with the Bengals to offer our support through this difficult time."

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