Lamar Odom taken from Vegas hospital to Los Angeles

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Lamar Odom is 'defying the odds' and showing signs of recovery, family says
Lauren Lyster has the latest details.

LAS VEGAS (WABC) -- A family representative says Lamar Odom has left a Las Vegas hospital and is now in the Los Angeles area to continue his recovery a week after being found unconscious at a Nevada brothel.

Alvina Alston, publicist for Odom's aunt JaNean Mercer, said Tuesday that the former NBA star was transported by helicopter from Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas around 5 p.m. Monday.

The family statement thanks the hospital and Odom's fans and says he's making "miraculous" progress.

The statement says he took a few steps in Los Angeles. Alston says Odom's estranged wife, Khloe Kardashian, his father and his two children from a previous relationship are with him.

Message from Khloe Kardashian on her website.

Odom was found in critical condition at the Love Ranch brothel in Crystal, Nevada, on Oct. 13. He regained consciousness Friday.

In a statement Monday from Odom's aunt, JaNean Mercer said Odom is making progress while being treated in a Las Vegas hospital.

"Each day Lamar is getting stronger and reaching significant milestones in his recovery," Mercer said. "We are committed to remaining by his side as a family for our champion, who we love immensely."

On Friday, sources told Eyewitness News that Odom said 'good morning' and was able to give a thumbs up.

"Lamar has always been blessed with a tenacious, fighting spirit, overcoming insurmountable obstacles to achieve the impossible," Mercer said. "These past few days have been no different. He is defying the odds in his toughest battle to date with God's grace."

Odom is eating solid foods, according to the sources. No one is quite sure the extent of damage or what kind of recovery is ahead of him, but the family is discussing rehabilitation option.

The sources said Kardashian has hired bodyguards.

Odom was found in extremely critical condition at the Love Ranch brothel in the rural community of Crystal, Nevada, on Oct. 13 and was hospitalized in Las Vegas. 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.