By MAX WINTERS, US DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
Published: 14:15 EST, 14 January 2026 | Updated: 14:15 EST, 14 January 2026
NBA legend Elden Campbell was wearing a partially unzipped life vest when he drowned and his body was found tethered to a watercraft, a new report has revealed.
The Los Angeles Lakers great tragically died in Florida at the age of 57 on December 1.
His sister, Sandra, initially said that the former NBA champion had been out on the water but suffered a medical emergency after making it back on to land. Florida authorities later ruled that his cause of death was accidental drowning.
Now an investigation report seen by TMZ claims Campbell did take some safety precautions before heading out onto the water in the middle of the night.
The report states Campbell left a nearby boat ramp on his own at around 12:37am on December 1.
When his body was found in the sand near the water's edge at Pompano Beach, he was tethered to a Sea-Doo Fish Pro watercraft that was registered to him. He was pronounced dead at 8:30pm on December 1.
Investigators also found his wallet and an energy drink inside the watercraft.
Campbell's wife told officials that he looked after his health, was a competent swimmer and had not had problems with drugs or alcohol. He did, however, have both type II diabetes and high cholesterol.
More to follow.
NBA legend Elden Campbell was wearing a partially unzipped life vest when he drowned
The Lakers and NBA legend tragically died in Florida at the age of 57 on December 1