Ex-NBA Player Rasual Butler, ‘American Idol’ Wife Leah LaBelle Die in Crash

By Jack Phillips
January 31, 2018 Last Updated: January 31, 2018
Rasual Butler #18 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona on Feb. 21, 2016. The Spurs defeated the Suns 118-111. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Ex-NBA player Rasual Butler and his wife, who appeared “American Idol,” were both killed in a car crash Wednesday morning, Jan. 31. Butler was 38.

Butler, who played for the Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, and other teams, died in a single-vehicle crash in Southern California, USA Today reported, citing the Los Angeles County coroner’s department.

He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash that took place at around 2:30 a.m. local time. Butler lost control of his Range Rover, which hit a wall and rolled over. The car also hit several parking meters.

The female driver was later identified as his wife, Leah LaBelle, who is a singer that appeared on the third season of “American Idol.” She was 31.

Butler stopped playing in 2016, finishing with the San Antonio Spurs. USA Today asked him in 2014 why he persisted. “Because I wanted to play basketball. It’s very easy. It’s a simple answer. If you’re serious about doing what you love to do, then you’re going to do whatever it takes for you to continue to do what you love to do,” he said.

A number of NBA players expressed grief over his death.

From NTD.tv

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