UPDATE:
SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs released a statement on Wednesday afternoon following the death of former Spur Rasual Butler and his wife, Leah LaBelle.
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"We’ve lost two special people in Leah LaBelle and Rasual Butler. Our hearts, prayers and condolences are with their families and friends. Rasual was a wonderful man, friend and teammate. His positive attitude, his professionalism and his warm smile made Rasual a joy to be around. All of us will miss Rasual and Leah a great deal," the Spurs said in the statement.
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 31, 2018
ORIGINAL STORY:
Former NBA and San Antonio Spurs player Rasual Butler and his wife were killed in a car crash in a Los Angeles suburb early Wednesday morning.
TMZ Sports reported Butler, 38, lost control of his SUV around 2 a.m. in Studio City, California and struck a parking meter.
The vehicle slammed into a wall and flipped, according to TMZ Sports. Officers believe the car was speeding before it lost control.
Butler played in the NBA for 14 seasons and was a member of the Spurs during the 2015-16 season.
Butler played in 46 games for San Antonio before he was waived on March 9, 2016. It was his final season in the NBA.
Butler’s wife Leah LaBelle was an R&B singer. She competed in the third season of "American Idol" in 2004.
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Current Spurs players posted their condolences for Butler, his wife and his family on social media:
Devastated to hear the news about the passing of my former teammate, Rasual, & his wife. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families during this difficult time. Rasual was an amazing teammate and an even better person. He will truly be missed!
— LaMarcus Aldridge (@aldridge_12) January 31, 2018
Smh Rip Bop man learned a lot from you! Leah was such a nice person. Devastated by the news!! 😪😪😪 https://t.co/jMyRGEgRtV
— SLOWMO (@KyleAnderson5) January 31, 2018
Still in shock about my brother Rasual. Great positive person. We lost a good one
— Rudy Gay (@RudyGay) January 31, 2018