Lamar Odom in hospital after being found unconscious in Nevada brothel
Former NBA power forward Lamar Odom was found unconscious on Tuesday afternoon at a Nevada brothel, according to Nevada police.
TMZ first reported that Odom was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital and intubated after taking too much “herbal Viagra” at Dennis Hof’s Love Ranch South in Pahrump, Nev. The New York Daily News and BuzzFeed later confirmed the story.
The Nye County Sheriff’s office confirmed Wednesday evening in a press conference that Odom had been using cocaine and “sexual performance enhancers.” The Sheriff’s office played the recording of the 911 call placed on Odom’s behalf from a woman identified as a Love Ranch employee, who said on the recording that Odom had blood coming from his nose and “white stuff” coming from his mouth, and that he was in a “deep sleep” and struggling to breathe. He was said to have used cocaine Saturday and 10 doses of the sexual enhancer over a three-day period.
The Sheriff’s office obtained a search warrant for Odom’s blood, which is currently being processed. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported late Wednesday night that Odom is “not out of the woods yet,” but had made small improvements. He remains intubated, according to Shelburne.
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Hof told the Los Angeles Times’s Matt Pearce that Odom was in a “somber” mood on Sunday, and “wanted to get away from everybody, wanted to have fun.” When Hof’s employees discovered the former NBA star unconscious, “terrible stuff came out” of his nose and mouth, Hof said.
Physicians had arranged for Odom to be airlifted from the Pahrump hospital to Las Vegas, but due to his height (6'10") he needed to be taken by ambulance, according to a statement from police.
Jeff Schwartz, Odom’s agent and president of Excel Sports Management, released the following statement on Wednesday morning:
“Lamar Odom is a long-time member of the Excel family, and we are keeping him in our thoughts and prayers. We are staying close to the situation but have no additional information or comment at this time.”
Odom married Khloe Kardashian in 2009, and while the two split in 2013, the divorce has yet to become official. TMZ reported that Kardashian and her mother, Kris Jenner, flew to Las Vegas to be with Odom. It was also reported as of late Tuesday night that he was in a coma, breathing “with the assistance of machines and remains in critical condition.”
Current, former NBA players offer support to Lamar Odom
Odom, who helped the Los Angeles Lakers win back-to-back NBA Finals in 2009–10, was an integral part of the post-Shaquille O’Neal Lakers. Kobe Bryant and general manager Mitch Kupchak were among the Lakers to visit Odom in the hospital, Los Angeles Daily News’ Mark Medina reported, despite L.A.’s preseason game Tuesday night against the Sacramento Kings.
Odom started his career in 1999 with the Los Angeles Clippers, before moving on to play with the Heat, Lakers and Mavericks. Most recently, he was signed and waived by the Knicks at the conclusion of the 2014–15 season without appearing in a game.
- Kenny Ducey
