Konstantin Koltsov committed suicide, Miami-Dade police confirm to PEOPLE
Police were dispatched early Monday morning to a Bal Harbor resort after reports that a man had jumped from a balcony.
The 42-year-old former NHL player has been dating the world’s second-ranked tennis star, Aryna Sabalenka, since 2021.
Konstantin Koltsov, the former NHL player and boyfriend of the world’s second-ranked tennis star Aryna Sabalenka, has committed suicide, Miami-Dade police confirmed to PEOPLE.
An official statement from the Miami-Dade Police Department obtained by PEOPLE states that investigators state that on Monday, March 18, 2024, at approximately 12:39 a.m., the Bal Harbor Police and Fire Department were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort, 9703 Collins Avenue, in reference to a man who had jumped from a balcony.
“The Miami-Dade Police Department, Crime Bureau, responded and took over the investigation into Mr. Vladimir Koltsov’s apparent suicide,” stated the statement. There’s no reason to suspect foul play.
Koltsov, who regularly traveled to Sabalenka’s tennis tournaments, was in Miami to support his girlfriend’s participation in the Miami Open, which began on Sunday.
Koltsov and Sabalenka started dating in 2021.
In June 2021, Sabalenka posted a picture of Koltsov pecking her cheek on Instagram, officially launching their romance. She said as the photo’s caption, “It’s nice to have someone who can relate to my insane state😅.” “But you won’t get tired of me, @koltsov2021? 🤣❤️.”
The death of the former Pittsburgh Penguins player was first confirmed by Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) team Salavat Yulaev Ufa, where he was a member of the coaching staff.
“It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of Salavat Yulaev coach Konstantin Koltsov,” the team said in a statement posted online.
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Fans, teammates, and players all adored and admired him since he was a positive, strong individual. Konstantin Evgenievich has 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 an excellent job within the staff team technique.
The Penguins also acknowledged his death in a statement posted on social media. “The Penguins extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Penguins forward Konstantin Koltsov,” they said.
Throughout his eighteen-year professional tenure, Koltsov played for Belarus in the IIHF World Championship, the Winter Olympics in 2002, and the Olympics in 2010.
In 1999, Koltsov received his first NHL draft selection. From 2002 to 2006, he spent three seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. As per the team, he participated in 144 NHL games.
After that, he played for the Continental Hockey League from 2008 until 2016, at which point he announced his official retirement from hockey in November 2016.