Konstantin Koltsov, the boyfriend of tennis superstar Aryna Sabalenka, “was most likely drunk” when he died in Miami, his ex-wife told Belarusian media.
Police confirmed Tuesday that Koltsov, who had been dating Australian Open Three-year champion Sabalenka, 25, died Monday at the age of 42 in an “apparent suicide” after jumping from a hotel balcony in Miami.
The Belarusian former professional hockey player, who shares three children with ex-wife Julija Mikhailova, reportedly joined his girlfriend in town as she prepared for the Miami Open, where she begins her campaign this Friday.
The Miami-Dade Police Department took over the investigation into the alleged suicide, but in an interview with media in her native Belarus, Mikhailova gave her views on what might have happened.
She claimed her ex-husband “was most likely drunk” before the fatal fall, and although she claims bottles of alcohol were found in his hotel room, police were unable to locate a note of suicide. She also says his recent behavior indicated, in her opinion, that he was not ready to commit suicide.
Aryna Sabalenka’s boyfriend’s ex-wife breaks her silence on his tragic death
Julija Mikhailova shared her views on the tragic death of her ex-husband
Miami police say Konstantin Koltsov died in ‘apparent suicide’
Police were called to the St Regis Bal Harbor Resort early Monday morning.
‘Most likely he was very drunk,” she said. Zerkalo. “Unfortunately, hockey players are sometimes guilty of this.
“Empty alcohol bottles were found in the room where Konstantin was staying. There was a balcony overlooking the ocean. Konstantin probably did not follow his actions.
‘WWe still have the old family computer with Konstantin’s email. I knew the passwords and was able to open some emails. Konstantin had also booked apartments in a different location. Purchases that have not yet arrived have been paid for. He rented a car for a long time.
“In other words, he had no intention of dying. Of course, anything can come to a head, but there have been no signs of tragedy.
She added that he fell from the 23rd floor of the St Regis Bal Harbor Resort and that although police immediately ruled out murder, their investigation was expected to be completed within a month.
Mikhailova said their children Daniel, Alexander and Stefan, aged 18, 16 and five, accepted her death and claimed the couple’s eldest son Daniel was the heir to her estate.
Mikhailova shares three children with Koltsov, aged 18, 16 and five.
She says she has no ill will towards world number 2 and says she is a ‘nice girl’
Reflecting on her relationship with Sabalenka, Mikhailova said: “Friendly girl. I really liked Konstantin, but Sabalenka treated my children well, so I have a normal attitude towards him.
She also shared how she first learned of her ex-husband’s death.
“It was March 18,” she said. “At first, they called me several times to ask if I was at home and to tell me that they wanted to talk to me about Konstantin. And then the detective arrived.
“He tried, as much as possible, to present the news gently. But of course I was in shock.
“Then he shared information, asked a few questions correctly, explained various procedural points and told her to call him at any time.”
Mikhailova added that she shared very few communications with Koltsov in the weeks before his death.
Separately, Koltsov’s first coach, Vladislav Astapenko, expressed his belief that the 42-year-old’s death was linked to family problems.
“He had an argument, it’s a family situation,” he said. Tribuna. “I can’t understand it myself, it’s very difficult, it’s hard now,”
But his ex-wife claims police were unable to locate a suicide note in his hotel room.
Koltsov was dating the Australian Open champion for three years
Bal Harbor police and firefighters were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort in reference to a man who jumped from a balcony at 12:39 a.m. ET Monday, according to investigators.
Reports from his native Belarus had initially claimed that Kolstov died from a “detached blood clot.”
Koltsov, who played hockey for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, was confirmed Tuesday by his former club Salavat Yulaev Ufa on the social messaging site Telegram.
“It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the death of Salavat Yulaev coach Konstantin Koltsov,” read the Russian club’s press release.
“He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues and fans. Konstantin was forever written in the history of our club.
“Koltsov won the Russian Championship and the Gagarin Cup with Salavat Yulaev and did an excellent job as part of the team’s technical staff.
“May his memory shine.”
The death of Sabalenka’s partner comes just five years after she lost his father Sergey following his sudden death at 43.
Like Koltsov, his father had also played professional hockey, and the Belarusian athlete often spoke of the motivation his father’s death inspired in his tennis game.
Koltsov played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and represented Belarus at two Winter Olympics.
Sabalenka (center) was seen preparing for the Miami Open on Tuesday
Despite his apparent suicide, the Tennis chain reports that Sabalenka still intends to play the tournament in the Sunshine State this month.
As a result, on Tuesday she returned to the court to practice ahead of her round of 16 match on Friday, when she is scheduled to meet the winner of Simona Halep and Paula Badosa’s first-round match.
In footage shared by Polish sports commentator Bartosz Ignacik, Sabalenka can be seen working on his serve just 24 hours after Koltsov’s death was confirmed.
Sabalenka and Koltsov were first linked in June 2021 and the two-time Australian Open winner has frequently posted photos of them together on her Instagram account.
“I love you @koltsov2021,” she wrote in a message including a heart and other emojis.
‘Happy Birthday my love. You are my dearest person, my best friend and my greatest support. Peace be with you, strength, patience and health.
“I hope we get everything we planned, I love you.”
For help, call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org Or www.thecalmzone.net/get-supportor call Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 in the United States.