Newly released police bodycam footage is raising disturbing questions about the final weeks of NBA player Brandon Clarke’s life.
The video shows the 29-year-old Memphis Grizzlies forward being arrested in Arkansas in April on speeding and drug possession charges, just six weeks before he was found dead in Los Angeles, according to CBS.
Clarke was discovered dead on May 11. His official cause of death remains under investigation, and authorities have not said whether the substance allegedly found during his arrest played any role in his death.
In the bodycam footage, Clarke can be seen standing beside a white sports car wearing a tank top and striped shorts. He raises his hands before an officer places him in handcuffs.
Police later searched the vehicle and allegedly discovered kratom, a substance derived from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia.
Kratom is frequently sold at convenience stores, smoke shops and gas stations as an energy booster or pain reliever. It has also been given the controversial nickname “gas station heroin” because of concerns surrounding its effects and potential for abuse.
The substance is not actually heroin, but the Food and Drug Administration has repeatedly warned consumers about the possible risks associated with kratom products.
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Images from the arrest appear to show officers holding a clear bag containing a light-colored substance, along with packages and containers found inside the vehicle.
The release of the footage has now renewed national scrutiny of kratom and its growing availability across the United States.
However, no official connection has been established between Clarke’s alleged possession of kratom and his death. Investigators have not released further details about what caused him to die.
Clarke spent his entire seven-year NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies.
He was selected with the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and became known for his athleticism and energy on the court.
Before joining the NBA, Clarke began his college basketball career at San Jose State. He later transferred to Gonzaga, where he developed into one of the top players in college basketball and boosted his professional prospects.
The newly released footage offers a troubling look at an incident that occurred shortly before Clarke’s sudden death, but many questions surrounding his final days remain unanswered.
His cause of death continues to be investigated.