Former NHL Player Konstantin Koltsov Died of ‘Apparent Suicide’ in Miami: Police

• Konstantin Koltsov died by suicide, Miami-Dade police confirmed to PEOPLE
• Police were dispatched to the Bal Harbor Resort early Monday morning after reports of a man jumping from a balcony
• The 42-year-old former NHL player has been in a relationship with world No. 2 tennis star Aryna Sabalenko since 2021.

Konstantin Koltsov, the former NHL player and boyfriend of No. 2 tennis player Arina Sabalenka, has died by suicide, the Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE.

“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.”

Koltsov, who regularly traveled to Sabalenka’s tennis tournaments, was in Miami to support his girlfriend at the Miami Open, which began on Sunday.

Konstantin Koltsov.

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Who was Arya Sabalenka’s boyfriend? What you need to know about the late Konstantin Koltsov

According to The Tennis LetterThe 25-year-old Belarusian star will remain at the tournament, but will not be available to the media.

Koltsov and Sabalenka first started dating in 2021.

They announced their relationship on Instagram in June 2021, as Sabalenka 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? 🤣❤️.”

Aryna Sabalenka’s Instagram

The death of the former Pittsburgh Penguins player was first confirmed by the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) team, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, where he was part of the coaching staff.

“It is with deep sadness that we inform you that the coach of Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away,” reads the club’s statement published on the Internet.

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“He was a strong and cheerful person, loved and respected by players, colleagues and fans. Konstantin Evgenievich forever entered the history of our club,” the statement continued, adding that “Koltsov won the Russian Championship and the Gagarin Cup as part of Salavat Yulaev, and did a great job on the team’s coaching staff.”

The Penguins also acknowledged his death in a statement released on social media. “The Penguins extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Penguins forward Konstantin Koltsov,” they said.

Konstantin Koltsov, former Penguins player and boyfriend of Arya Sabalenka, died at 42.

Koltsov played professional ice hockey for 18 years, competing at the IIHF World Championship and the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics for Belarus.

Koltsov was first drafted to the NHL in 1999. He was a part of the Pittsburgh Penguins for three seasons, from 2002 to 2006. He played 144 NHL games, according to the team.

He later played for the Kontinental Hockey League, from 2008 to 2016, before officially retiring from the sport in November 2016.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line by dialing 988, texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Line at 741741 or going to 988lifeline.org.

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Source: HIS Education