Lamar Odom Cannot Escape Tragedy, Secrets, And Death—All The Loved Ones He’s Lost

Lamar Odom has had a long list of loved ones die and the emotional toll cannot even be imagined. As the troubled NBA star fights for his life, was the pain too great to deal with anymore?

Lamar, 35, had a history of drug problems, was suspended from the league, finalized his divorce from Khloe Kardashian, and mostly recently lost his best friend.

Jamie Sangouthai died in June 2015 from a flesh-eating bacteria originating in his arm due to using dirty needles. Jamie was thought to be struggling with drug addiction problems.

Lamar learned tragedy at a very young age when lost his mother, Cathy Mercer, to colon cancer. He was just 12 years old.

Lamar Odom said this when speaking to the LA Times: “Death always seems to be around me. I've been burying people for a long time. When I had to bury my child, I probably didn't start grieving until a year and a half later.”

In 2011, Lamar’s 24-year-old cousin was killed. Odom believed it to be murder. "I think the effects of seeing my cousin die and then watching this kid die, it beat me down. I consider myself a little weak. I thought I was breaking down mentally. I'm doing a lot of reflecting,” he said.