Lamar Odom Had Been Using Cocaine, Sexual Performance Enhancers, Sheriff Says

Getty Images

Former NBA star and reality TV personality Lamar Odom used cocaine and sexual performance enhancing supplements on the weekend prior to his hospitalization, the Nye County Sheriff said Wednesday.

During a press conference, Sheriff Sharon A. Wehrly said that two employees at the Love Ranch brothel in Crystal, Nevada, called 911 and reported that Odom had been using cocaine on Saturday, but it was not known whether the usage continued throughout the weekend.

The sheriff also said that employees of the ranch reported that Odom had taken “up to 10” tablets of herbal sexual enhancement supplements.

Also Read: Lamar Odom Update: E! Denies Reports 'Kardashians' Filming in NBA Star's Hospital Room

Odom was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Pahrump, Nevada, and later taken to Sunrise Hospital in nearby Las Vegas. Attempts to airlift the 6’10” forward failed because of his height, officials said, and he was transferred to Las Vegas by ambulance.

During the conference, Wehrly said that a search warrant had been granted for Odom’s blood. The warrant was served at the hospital, with a blood sample taken and booked into evidence. Las Vegas police will be testing Odom’s blood to determine if he overdosed on drugs or alcohol.

Reporters were also played 911 calls made by a female brothel employee and Richard Hunter, the media director for brothel owner Dennis Hof.

Also Read: LA Lakers, NBA Stars React to Lamar Odom Collapse in Nevada Brothel

In her phone call to 911, the female employee said that Odom had “blood coming out of his nose” and “white stuff coming out [of] his mouth,” adding, “he’s almost not breathing.”

“He’s over on his side, snoring, but breathing regularly,” Hunter told the dispatcher. “He’s in a deep sleep, for sure.”

Addressing questions from the media, Wehrly said that authorities won’t know if Odom possibly suffered an overdose “until we get the toxicology back,” and couldn’t say whether there would be a search warrant served on the brothel.

She did, however, say that it’s “distinctly possible” that Odom could be charged with possession at some point down the line.

Also Read: Lamar Odom Hospitalized After Being Found Unconscious in Brothel

Odom, a former Los Angeles Laker and U.S. Olympian who rose to reality TV fame after marrying Khloe Kardashian, was initially transported to Desert View Hospital in Pahrump, Nevada, before being transferred to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas.

His ex-wife Kardashian and her mother, Kris Jenner, have arrived in Las Vegas to be at his side.

Lamar Odom and 13 Other Sports Stars Who Battled Addiction (Photos)

Michael Phelps
The Olympic swimmer got DUIs in 2004 and again in 2014, resulting in a suspension from U.S/ Swimming. Kellogs also dropped Phelps as a spokesperson in 2009 when photos leaked of him apparently smoking marijuana from a bong.
Getty Images
Darryl Strawberry
The former Mets, Dodgers and Yankees slugger was suspended three times by the MLB for substance abuse, which resulted in a number of arrests and visits to rehab.
Getty Images
Diego Maradona
The Argentinian soccer legend battled cocaine addiction from the mid-80s to 2004. After being rushed to the hospital in 2000 with heart problems, he was treated for alcohol-related hepatitis.
Getty Images
Josh Hamilton
Texas Rangers outfielder started experimenting with drugs in 2001. He then got clean after being confronted by his grandmother, but relapsed in 2009, 2012 and most recently, in Feb. 2015.
Getty Images
Ricky Williams
The New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins player began taking marijuana to ease social anxiety disorder, prompting a surprise retirement from the NFL in 2004. He later returned but failed at least two subsequent drug tests after being reinstated.
Getty Images
Lawrence Taylor
New York Giants linebacker tested positive for cocaine in 1987. He quit shortly after but relapsed upon retirement.
Getty Images
Donte Stallworth
The Cleveland Browns wide receiver was charged with DUI manslaughter after he struck and killed a pedestrian while driving his car in March 2009. Following a plea deal, he received a sentence of 30 days in the county jail and 8 years probation.
Getty Images
Charles Barkley
The NBA star turned TNT analyst was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2008 for DUI after running a stop sign. According to the police report, Barkley was in a hurry to receive oral sex from his female passenger. He spent three days in jail and entered an alcohol treatment program.
Getty Images
Michael Irvin
In March 1996, the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver was arrested on charges of cocaine possession when police found him lying on the floor covered in cocaine with multiple strippers. Irvin pled no contest to the charges and the NFL suspended him for five games.
Getty Images
Nate Newton
Nate Newton made six Pro Bowls in the NFL before being busted for marijuana, earning him two-and-a-half years in a federal prison.
Getty Images
Todd Marinovich
The quarterback was busted for cocaine at USC before being drafted by the NFL. While playing for the Oakland Raiders, he began taking LSD during games. After numerous NFL suspensions, he ended up at the Canadian Football League, where he started with heroin. At one point Marinovich severely cut his hand with a crack pipe during halftime.
Getty Images
Len Bias
Bias, an All-American college basketball forward at the University of Maryland, was selected by the Boston Celtics as the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. He died two days later from cardiac arrhythmia induced by a cocaine overdose at age 22.
Getty Images
Dock Ellis
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Ellis threw a no-hitter on June 12, 1970, claiming to have done it under the influence of LSD. He also had a substance abuse problem, and acknowledged after his retirement that he never pitched without the use of drugs.
Getty Images