Former NBA star Elden Campbell, a 15-year veteran and NBA Champion, was found dead in Pompano Beach, Florida, on December 1, after failing to return from a solo fishing trip. He was 57 years old.
Authorities have ruled his death as a drowning, marking a sudden and tragic end to the life of the retired basketball player.
Newly obtained 911 audio, reported by TMZ, captures the moment first responders were alerted to Campbell’s body. A man called in, saying he discovered something that “looks like a human body” washed up on the shore.
The caller told the dispatcher, “It looks like a dead person on the floor,” prompting an immediate response from emergency personnel.
Police later confirmed that Campbell’s body was found next to a jet ski on the beach around 8 p.m. local time. First responders pronounced him dead minutes after arriving at the scene.
A separate 911 dispatch report obtained by PEOPLE corroborates the response, noting that the call was initially treated as a case of cardiac arrest before the individual was confirmed deceased.
Campbell’s family has spoken out, expressing the deep loss they feel. “He’s going to be terribly missed,” his sister said this week, highlighting the tragic nature of the accident.
Elden Campbell enjoyed a distinguished 15-year career in the NBA, earning a championship and leaving a lasting legacy in professional basketball.
The retired star’s passing leaves a void for fans and colleagues who admired his contributions on and off the court.
