Basketball Player Lamar Odom Departs the New York State Supreme Court After a Child Custody Hearing with His ex-Girlfriend, Liza Morales, in Manhattan
IN PHOTO: Basketball player Lamar Odom departs the New York state Supreme Court after a child custody hearing with his ex-girlfriend, Liza Morales, in Manhattan, March 5, 2013. Reuters

Lamar Odom’s best friend did not die because of overdose, as it had been initially assumed. However, he did die from a drug-related cause, from a flesh-eating disease he got from being injected with dirty needles.

Page Six reports that Jamie Sangouthai, Lamar’s best friend, died from necotizing fasciitis, chronic intravenous narcotism, as well as IV drug abuse, as confirmed by the Coroner. Necotizing fasciitis is a bacterial skin infection, which Sangouthai went to a hospital for. He reportedly got the infection by using dirty needles. However, the disease quickly spread and ultimately became the cause of his death The hospital allegedly did everything it could to save him, but the condition cannot be contained. The reality star, who appeared on Lamar and Khloe Kardashian’s reality show, died at a Los Angeles hospital. He was just 37.

Odom was said to be taking the death of his best friend hard immediately after the incident. Odom and Sangouthai were best of friends since high school and both share a love for basketball. They both engaged in business deals together. It was reported that Odom is beside himself and considered the whole thing the “worst tragedy” he experienced.

Khloe and mom Kris Jenner are said to be lending their support to the athlete. Khloe’s ex husband is devastated and Khloe and Kris made sure he knows he can approach them if he needs a shoulder to cry on. A source told Mirror UK that, "They are trying to console him. They really want to make sure that he is ok right now and that he knows that they will do anything for him." Even though Lamar and Khloe split up, Kim Kardashian’s sister is said to still care about him greatly. Jamie’s death allegedly shook everyone badly.

The former Los Angeles Laker player however, can now be seen trying to move on from the tragedy. He was spotted in Las Vegas, apparently to lend support to boxer Adrian Broner as he weighed in for his big fight against Shawn Porter. Odom was spotted smiling and even interacting with his fans while walking around the MGM Hotel and Casino.

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