US authorities seek warrant to obtain blood sample from Lamar Odom, former NBA player found unconscious

LAS VEGAS (AP):

United States sheriff Sharon Wehrly today said that investigators sought a warrant to obtain a blood sample to determine if Lamar Odom suffered a drug or alcohol overdose.

Wehrly said detectives worked until early this morning collecting evidence and interviewing employees at the brothel where the former NBA player and reality show star was found unconscious.

She said she couldn't immediately say what they believe caused Odom to become unconscious.

However, she acknowledged that medics usually turn someone on their side, as Odom was, to relieve pressure on the chest and help them breathe.

The sheriff didn't say whether Odom ever regained consciousness while he was stabilised and taken to hospitals.

Brothel owner Dennis Hof said Odom arrived alone, was "polite and reserved", drank alcohol from the bar and took herbal sexual enhancement capsules.

Hof said Odom didn't use drugs in the presence of anyone in the house.

Meanwhile, reality TV personality Khloe Kardashian has been by Lamar Odom's side at a Las Vegas hospital since yesterday evening.

That's according to a person close to the Kardashians who spoke anonymously because she wasn't authorised to speak to the press.

Kardashian and Odom were married in 2009, but Kardashian filed for divorce in 2013, citing irreconcilable differences.