Lamar Odom taken from Las Vegas hospital to Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Lamar Odom left a Las Vegas hospital and is now in the Los Angeles area to continue his recovery a week after he was found unconscious at a Nevada brothel, a family representative said Tuesday.
The former NBA star was transported by helicopter from Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas around 5 p.m. Monday, according to a statement from Alvina Alston, publicist for Odom's aunt JaNean Mercer. She did not say where he was taken in Los Angeles.
The statement from the Mercer and Odom families thanked the hospital and Odom's fans and said his estranged wife, Khloe Kardashian, his father and his two children from a previous relationship are with him.
"He continues to make miraculous progress, taking a few steps in Los Angeles," the statement said.
Kardashian posted a separate statement to her website saying Odom made "incredible strides" at the Las Vegas hospital and thanking the doctors and nurses "for their kindness and diligent work." The family has received strength from the outpouring of support from Odom's fans, she said.
News of his release comes a day after a family statement said Odom's condition was improving. It said he was overcoming "insurmountable obstacles" and defying the odds.
The hospital and Odom's relatives have not revealed his prognosis, but the family has hinted at a long road ahead, saying they realize his "continued improvement" won't be easy.
Odom was found in extremely critical condition Oct. 13 at the Love Ranch brothel in the rural community of Crystal, Nevada. He regained consciousness and communicated for the first time Friday.
The brothel said workers saw him drink alcohol and take supplements sold as "herbal Viagra." The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning in 2013 against one brand he took, Reload, after it was found to contain sildenafil, the active ingredient in prescription Viagra.
He also told at least one of the women that he had done cocaine, but the brothel says it did not see him take any drugs or find any there.
Love Ranch owner Dennis Hof has said that Odom arrived Oct. 10 for a four-day stay and spent $75,000 on two women who accompanied him in a VIP suite.
The Nye County Sheriff's Office is investigating. Test results from blood samples obtained through a warrant still are pending, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of taking action against the brothel or Odom.
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Ho reported from Las Vegas.