Konstantin Koltsov, the boyfriend of tennis superstar Aryna Sabalenka, ‘was very likely drunk’ when he fell to his death in Miami, his ex-wife has told media in Belarus.
Police confirmed on Tuesday that Koltsov, who had been dating n Open champion Sabalenka, 25, for three years, died at the age of 42 on Monday 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, is believed to have joined his girlfriend in the city as she prepared for the Miami Open, where she begins her campaign this Friday.
The Miami-Dade Police Department has taken over the investigation into the suspected suicide, but in an interview with media in her native Belarus, Mikhailova has given her view on what might have happened.
She has claimed that her ex-husband ‘was very likely drunk’ before the fatal fall, and while she says booze bottles were found in his hotel room, officers were unable to locate a suicide note. She also says his recent behaviour indicated, in her view, that he was not preparing to take his own life.
The ex-wife of Aryna Sabalenka’s boyfriend has broken her silence on his tragic death
Julija Mikhailova has shared her view on her ex-husband’s tragic death
Miami Police say Konstantin Koltsov fell to his death in an ‘apparent suicide’
Police were called to the St Regis Bal Harbour Resort in the early hours of Monday morning
‘Most likely, he was very drunk,’ she told Zerkalo. ‘Unfortunately, hockey players are sometimes guilty of this.
‘Empty alcohol bottles were found in the room where Konstantin stayed. There was a balcony overlooking the ocean. Probably Konstantin did not keep track of his actions.
‘We still have the old family computer with Konstantin’s email. I knew the passwords and managed to open some emails. Konstantin had further booked apartments in a different location. Purchases that have not yet arrived have been paid for. He rented a car for a long time.
‘That is, he did not intend to die. Anything, of course, can go to your head, but there was no sign of tragedy.’
She added that he fell from the 23rd floor at the St Regis Bal Harbour Resort, and while the police instantly ruled out murder, their investigation is expected to be completed within a month.
Mikhailova said that their children Daniel, Alexander, and Stefan, aged 18, 16 and five, are coming to terms with his death and claimed that the pair’s eldest son, Daniel, is the heir to his estate.
Reflecting on her relationship with Sabalenka, Mikhailova said: ‘Nice girl. I loved Konstantin very much, but Sabalenka treated my children well, so I have a normal attitude towards her.’
She also shared how she first learnt of her ex-husband’s death.
‘It was March 18,’ she said. ‘At first, they called me several times, asking if I was at home, saying they wanted to tell me something about Konstantin. And then the detective came.
‘He tried, as much as possible, to gently present the news. But, of course, I was in a state of shock.
‘Then he shared information, asked a few questions correctly, explained various procedural points, and said to call him anytime.’
Mikhailova added that she had shared very little communication with Koltsov in the weeks leading to his death.
Elsewhere, Koltsov’s first coach, Vladislav Astapenko, has aired his belief that the 42-year-old’s death is related to family problems.
‘He had an argument, it’s a family situation,’ he told 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 had been dating the n Open champion for three years
Bal Harbour Police and Fire Rescue were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in reference to a male that jumped from a balcony at 12.39am ET Monday, according to investigators.
Reports from his native Belarus had initially claimed that Kolstov had died of a ‘detached blood clot’.
Koltsov, who played hockey for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, was confirmed dead by his former club Salavat Yulaev Ufa on social messaging site Telegram on Tuesday.
‘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.’
The death of Sabalenka’s partner comes just five years after she lost her father Sergey following his sudden death at 43.
Like Koltsov, her father had also played professional hockey, and the Belarusian athlete has often spoken of the motivation her father’s passing her inspired in her tennis game.
Koltsov played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and represented Belarus at two Winter Olympics
Sabalenka (centre) was seen preparing for the Miami Open on Tuesday
Despite his apparent suicide, the Tennis Channel is reporting 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 64 tie on Friday, when she is due to meet the winner of Simona Halep and Paula Badosa’s opening round match.
In footage shared by Polish sports commentator Bartosz Ignacik, Sabalenka can be seen working on her serve a mere 24 hours after Koltsov’s passing was confirmed.
Sabalenka and Koltsov were first linked in June 2021 and the two-time n Open winner has frequently posted photos of them together on her Instagram account.
‘I love you @koltsov2021,’ she wrote in one post that included heart and other emojis.
‘Happy birthday my love. You are my dearest person, my best friend and my strongest support. Peace be with you, strength, patience and health.
‘I hope we will have everything we planned I love you.’
For support call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org or www.thecalmzone.net/get-support, or call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988 in the US.