Stars from the music industry and the NBA are all in shock after losing a beloved couple with ties to both groups.
Butler was at the wheel of his 2011 Range Rover and traveling at a high rate of speed down Ventura Boulevard through Studio City. He lost control and plowed down a trio of parking meters before slamming into a concrete wall and flipping, before coming to rest in a shopping center parking lot.
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics pronounced both Butler and LaBelle dead at the scene.
Beloved in the Music Community
Leah LaBelle, 31, was an R&B singer recording for Epic Records.LaBelle worked with super-producer Pharrell Williams and also recorded for Andreao Heard.
Her death reverberated though the pop music community.
Fantasia Barrino, winner of the third season of “American Idol,” honored her fallen friend.
A Consummate Pro With the Right Attitude
Rasual Butler, 38, was in the waning years of a 13-year career in the NBA. He played for eight different teams in that time and impressed everyone with his work ethic, his personality, and his positive attitude.Players from across the league turned to social media to express their feeling of loss and sorrow.
Alan Iverson and Dwyane Wade both posted on Twitter.
“The world just lost a great dude,” Wade tweeted.
Marcin Gortat of the Washington Wizards also tweeted his regrets.
Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors tweeted, “True legend in my eyes !!!”
The Indiana Pacers organizations also posted a statement mourning Butler and his wife.
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