Deaths Of Former NBA Player Rasual Butler And Wife Leah Labelle Rock Sports And Entertainment World
Another tragedy has hit the sports and entertainment world. Philly-born former NBA journeyman Rasual Butler who played in the league for 13 seasons and his wife, American Idol contestant Leah Labelle have been killed. The story, first reported by TMZ, says that Butler was operating his Range Rover at high-speed before crashing in the early morning hours in Studio City, California.
At around 2 a.m., Butler reportedly lost control of his Range Rover, struck a parking meter and flipped before slamming into a wall. According to TMZ, police officers believe that Butler’s car was speeding before it lost control. NBC Los Angeles reported that police said the vehicle was traveling at speeds two to three times higher than the limit.
The Los Angeles County coroner’s department confirmed Butler’s identity to USA Today.
Butler, 38, was drafted out of La Salle by the Miami Heat in the second round of the 2002 NBA draft. He went on to play for the Heat, Hornets, Clippers, Bulls, Raptors, Pacers, Wizards and Spurs from 2002 to 2016. Most recently, Butler was expected to play a second season in the BIG3 League.
Leah, who came in 12th in the third season of American Idol was discovered via a YouTube following. She had a single out ‘Sexify’ in 2012 and a self-titled debut with a joint deal with Def Jam/So So Def and Pharell Williams’ label I Am Other but had released no album projects since. She sang background with Keri Hilson, Jordin Sparks and Eric Benet.