- Former NHL player Konstantin Koltsov died on Monday at the age of 42
- His girlfriend Aryna Sabalenka shared happy moments together in her 2023 Instagram column in December
- Koltsov, a former NHL player, can be seen kissing Sabalenka in one picture, holding a toddler’s hand in another and dancing in many of the shots
Aryna Sabalenka documented a joyful year with her boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov less than three months before his death.
In a column on Instagram on December 28, 2023, the second world tennis star posted a video montage of the highlights of the year, with the 42-year-old Koltsov in the photo in many memorable moments.
At the end of the year, the former Pittsburgh Penguins player was seen kissing Sabalenka, 25, as the two watched a hockey game, holding the toddler’s hand as he strolled down a scenic street, danced on a boat and helped coach the stars’ tennis.
“Thank you 2023! See you soon in 2024❤️”, the 2024 Australian Open champion wrote in the description.
Who was Arya Sabalenka’s boyfriend? What you need to know about the late Konstantin Koltsov
Koltsov, who had three sons from a previous marriage, regularly traveled with Sabalenko to tennis tournaments and was in Miami to support her at the Miami Open when he died.
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On Tuesday, the Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that Koltsov died by suicide early Monday morning in Bal Harbor, Florida.
“According to investigators, on Monday, March 18, 2024, at approximately 12:39 AM, Bal Harbor Police and Fire Department were dispatched to St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort, 9703 Collins Avenue, in reference to a man who jumped from a balcony,” Miami-Dade police said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
The statement continued: “The Miami-Dade Police Department, Homicide Bureau, responded and took over the investigation into the alleged suicide of Mr. Konstantin Koltsov. Foul play is not suspected.”
Former NHL player Konstantin Koltsov died of “apparent suicide” in Miami: police
The couple first started dating in 2021 and became Instagram official in June of that year.
Sabalenka then shared a photo of Koltsov kissing her on the cheek.
“It’s good when there is someone who can understand my madness😅”, she wrote in the description. “But you won’t be bored with me, right @koltsov2021? 🤣❤️.”
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Source: HIS Education