National Basketball Association

Bosh's masseuse dies after collapsing

Published Jun. 5, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

A masseuse was pronounced dead at a South Florida hospital after collapsing at the home of Miami Heat All-Star forward Chris Bosh. Police said no signs of foul play were found.

Miami Beach police said the woman, whose name was not immediately released, went to Bosh's home Monday and ''appeared to be well and in good spirits'' upon arrival. Fire rescue workers responded to Bosh's home and transported the unconscious woman to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead Monday night.

Bosh and his wife Adrienne Bosh released a statement through the Heat on Tuesday night.

''Last evening, a massage therapist that we have used for some time, arrived at our home to provide massage therapy,'' the Bosh's statement said. ''Shortly after she arrived, she fainted and lost consciousness. We called 911 and emergency personnel arrived at our home shortly thereafter. They took her to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she passed away. Our hearts go out to her family. We are very sorry for their loss.''

Police spokeswoman Vivian Hernandez said the department will conduct its standard death investigation.

''It's an absolute tragedy. It really is,'' Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Tuesday night. ''We're learning all the full details right now, so it would be probably inappropriate for me to comment any further about it.''

Bosh was with the team for its usual gameday shootaround Tuesday morning, with Spoelstra saying he was ''focused.''

''A beautiful soul was lost tonight,'' Adrienne Bosh wrote on her verified Twitter account in the early hours of Tuesday morning. ''Never take the here and now for granted. Life can be so frail.''

Police said a friend of the victim said she had survived cancer about a year ago. A cause of death has not been determined.

The woman's death was first reported by Miami television station WPLG.

Bosh, who had been sidelined for much of the Heat postseason run because of a strained lower abdominal muscle, made his return Tuesday night in Miami's 94-90 loss to Boston in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Bosh, who averaged 18 points and 7.9 rebounds in the regular season, had nine points and seven rebounds but sat out much of the second half.