Konstantin Koltsov, a former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has died at 42 in Miami where his longtime girlfriend, tennis star Aryna Sabalenka, is preparing for a tournament.
The Belarussian forward, who played three seasons in the NHL, died from an “apparent suicide,” according to the Miami-Dade Police Department.
“According to investigators on Monday, March 18, 2024, at approximately 12:39 a.m., Bal Harbour Police and Fire Rescue were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, 9703 Collins Avenue, in reference to a male that jumped from a balcony,” the Miami-Dade Police Department told CNN.
“The Miami-Dade Police Department, Homicide Bureau, responded and has taken over the investigation of the apparent suicide of Mr. Konstantin Koltsov … No foul play is suspected.”
Koltsov and Sabalenka, 25, had been dating for three years. He has been spotted cheering her on at several tournaments around the world and had recently joined her in Miami, where she is preparing the Miami Open.
Koltsov’s death was announced Tuesday by his former club Salavat Yulaev Ufa on social messaging site Telegram.
“It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that the coach of Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away,” the Russian club’s statement read.
“He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues, and fans. Konstantin forever wrote himself into the history of our club.
“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.
“May his memory burn bright.”
According to Belarusian media outlet Telegraf, just a day before his death, Koltsov planned to not renew his contract with the team, whom he had coached for the past two seasons.
Sabalenka has often posted photos on her Instagram account of Koltsov, who has three children with his ex-wife, Julia, whom he divorced in 2020.
Two months ago, Koltsov was in Melbourne to watch her take home her second straight Australian Open title.
Recently on his own Instagram account, which has been set to private, Koltsov shared a gallery of pictures of the world No. 2 tennis player to celebrate International Women’s Day. The caption read, “Happy holiday, my love, I love you madly.”
This is not the first tragedy to befell Sabalenka in recent years. She lost her dad, Sergey, five years ago. He was only 43.
During Netflix’s tennis docuseries Break Point, Sabalenka had talked about how she was motivated by her father’s death.
“We had one dream: That before 25, I will win a couple of Grand Slams,” she said.
“Now I’m 24 and there is zero in my pocket.”
The main draw for the Miami Open begins later this week.