Lamar Odom, the ex-husband of reality star Khloe Kardashian, suffered an emotional blow earlier this week when his close friend Jamie Sangouthai passed away. Reports initially suggested Sangouthai died of a drug overdose but now it appears his cause of death was something even more sinister and bizarre. According to a US entertainment website, Sangouthai died of a flesh eating disease which was caused by his use of dirty needles.

Khloe KardashianKhloe Kardashian's friend, Jamie Sangouthai, died of a flesh eating disease.

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The L.A. Coroner’s Office released their autopsy report for Sangouthai on Thursday (18th June) in which they stated his primary cause of death was the flesh eating disease caused by chronic IV drug abuse, as TMZ reports. 

Sangouthai was 37-years-old when he died on Sunday (14th June). He initially went to hospital last week after he became concerned about his arm which was infected. Sadly things took a tragic turn and even medical attention could not save him from the disease, necrotizing fasciitis. The disease is reportedly quite rare but 70% of cases occur in people with such pre-existing conditions as substance abuse. Treatment usually includes the removal of the infected tissue. Sangouthai underwent such treatment but there was little medical staff could do, the L.A. coroner confirmed in a statement to E!.

“Due to the extent of the infection, the hospital performed surgery to deal with the infection, but the condition quickly overwhelmed what they were able to do for him," the coroner revealed. 

Sangouthai will be well known to fans of Kardashian and Odom’s reality series, Khloe and Lamar, as he frequently appeared on the show’s two seasons between 2011 and 2012. 

Both Kardashian and Odom were reportedly devastated upon hearing of the news of Sangouthai’s death. Odom was in Las Vegas at the time of his friend’s death but immediately hopped on a plane back to L.A. in order to attend Sangouthai’s funeral on Monday (15th June). Kardashian also mourned the loss of her friend on Twitter, writing “When does it stop? RIP Jamie Sangouthai.”

Kardashian and her mother, Kris Jenner, have also been in touch with Odom, according to sources.

“Kris and Khloe have both spoken to Lamar,” a source told Radar. “They are trying to console him. They really want to make sure that he is ok right now and that he knows that they will do anything for him.”

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