Report: NBA Champion Elden Campbell's Body Found Washed Up on Florida Shore, 911 Audio Discloses

Elden Campbell, a 15-year veteran of the NBA and former champion, was discovered deceased on a Florida shoreline in Pompano Beach on December 1. Newly released 911 audio indicates that Campbells body was found washed up after he did not return from a solo fishing trip.

Campbells sister expressed her grief, stating, Hes going to be terribly missed, as authorities confirmed that the cause of death was drowning.

According to the TMZ report, the 911 recording captures a caller alerting emergency services about what appeared to be a human body on the sand. The caller tells the operator, It looks like a dead person on the floor. Police later located Campbells body near a jet ski on the beach around 8 p.m., and first responders pronounced him dead shortly after.

Initial dispatch reports described the incident as a potential cardiac arrest, but responders quickly confirmed that Campbell had passed away. Thomas Steinkamp, chief of investigative services for Broward County, confirmed that the official cause of death was drowning.

The 7-foot power forward, who played alongside legends Shaquille ONeal and Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers, leaves behind his wife, Rosemary, four childrenJay Lee, Jael, Ariel, and Aaronas well as his siblings Sandra, Elwayne, and Charles Jr.

Campbells sister recounted that he had been fishing on the day of his death. It was all so sudden. He wasnt sick. He was out fishing, she shared. She described him as a central figure in their family, emphasizing, Hes going to be terribly missed.

Drafted 27th overall in the first round of the 1990 NBA Draft by the Lakers after playing college basketball at Clemson University, Campbell spent nine seasons with his hometown team. He later continued his career with several NBA teams, including the Charlotte and New Orleans Hornets, Seattle SuperSonics, Detroit Pistons, and New Jersey Nets.

Campbell retired after the 200405 season with a career total of 6,116 rebounds and 10,805 points, and he won an NBA Championship in 2004 with the Detroit Pistons, defeating his former Lakers team. Tributes from former teammates have poured in this week, honoring his legacy both on and off the court.

Author: Olivia Parker