Bobby Heyward, Lamar Odom’s Friend, Dies Of Suspected Drug Overdose

by Olivia Truffaut-WongJune 23, 2015, 10:52 pmNews, News Feed >

Bobby Heyward, Lamar Odom’s friend, died of a suspected overdose less than two weeks after Odom’s other close friend, Jamie Sangouthai, died of drug related causes.

Bobby Heyward Dies Of Reported Overdose

Heyward, 30, a producer and writer, died on Saturday, June 20, and, while official cause of death has not been confirmed, it was reported that he died of a drug overdose. His family has yet to make any kind of statement, but Linda Thompson, friend of Heyward’s mother, Evelyn Heyward, honored Heyward in an Instagram post.

Please keep my lovely friend Evelyn Heyward in your prayers as she mourns the loss of her cherished son, Bobby, pictured here. Bobby posted this photo not long ago with the hashtag #mommasboy. Any parent reading this cannot even fathom such a devastating loss. I believe in the power of prayer…of healing thoughts & energy… So please send yours to a wonderful mother whose heart is broken today. May God bless her & the entire family. And may Bobby rest in eternal peace….

A photo posted by Linda Thompson (@ltlindathompson) on Jun 22, 2015 at 11:42am PDT

Officials have reportedly completed Heyward’s autopsy, but are awaiting toxicology reports before declaring a cause of death, which could take up to 10 weeks.

Jamie Sangouthai Died Of Drug Related Infection

Heyward was a close friend of former Lakers player and Khloé Kardashian’s estranged husband, Lamar Odom, and is the second of Odom’s friends to die within the span of a month. In fact, Heyward’s last post on Instagram paid tribute to their fallen friend, Jamie Sangouthai, who died on Sunday, June 14. “#RIP To my big brother Jamie who always brought light into any room he walked into and laughter as well at all times J you will be missed. Family for life. #BandofBrothers,” Heyward wrote on Instagram.

#RIP To my big brother Jamie who always brought light into any room he walked into and laughter as well at all times J you will always be missed. Family for life. #BandOfBrothers #tbt

A photo posted by Bobby Beach (@bobbyheyward) on Jun 18, 2015 at 5:26pm PDT

Heyward, Odom and Sangouthai appear in the photo post, shared on June 18. It was originally reported that Sangouthai died of a drug overdose, but it was later determined that Odom’s childhood friend died from a bacterial skin infection that occurs with chronic IV drug abuse called necrotizing fasciitis. Before Odom and Kardashian separated, Sangouthai made frequent appearances on Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and he served as one of Odom’s groomsmen at their wedding. Following the news of his death, Kardashian took to Twitter to express her sadness.

Odom has not spoken publicly about the tragic deaths of his friends, but was spotted in Las Vegas on Friday, June 19. The basketball player has been plagued with rumors of addiction since his separation from Kardashian in 2013. Sources say he is “beside himself” after learning of Heyward’s death, and earlier last week, it was reported that Odom was receiving a lot of support from his estranged wife, but was “taking it really bad.”

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.