Newly released footage captures the tense moments when deputies reached the shoreline and found former NBA forward Elden Campbell lying face-down beside a Sea-Doo after what investigators say began as a solo night fishing trip. Campbell, a 15-season NBA veteran and 2004 champion, was found unresponsive on Dec. 1, 2025, and was later pronounced dead. The video has pulled fresh attention back to the case and to safety practices for night-time personal watercraft outings.
Video shows deputies finding Campbell
The clip, published June 15, 2026 and obtained by the New York Post, shows Broward County Sheriff's deputies approaching a Sea-Doo that had washed up on Pompano Beach. Campbell is seen next to the craft, wearing a life jacket, a long-sleeved orange shirt and floral board shorts. In the footage, officers appear to check for a pulse before moving to secure the scene as bystanders look on. The Post's write-up walks through a frame-by-frame look at the initial response.
Investigators' findings from the scene
An investigative report, later summarized in media coverage, states that video shows Campbell leaving a nearby boat ramp alone at about 12:37 a.m. on Dec. 1, 2025. His Sea-Doo was later found tethered to him and stocked with fishing gear, while his California ID, keys and phone were located inside the craft. The report also notes that his life jacket was partially unzipped and that toxicology testing found no drugs or alcohol in his system, according to reporting by Yahoo. Those details come from documents and the county's investigative file that were reviewed by reporters.
911 audio and autopsy details
Earlier coverage included a 911 recording in which a caller told dispatchers he believed he saw either "a body" or "a white casket" washed ashore, prompting deputies to respond and ultimately pronounce Campbell dead at the scene. The Broward County medical examiner later ruled the death an accidental drowning, and investigators reported finding no indication of trauma, according to TMZ. Family members told outlets the incident appeared to be a sudden medical emergency rather than foul play.
Night fishing and PWC safety
The newly surfaced footage, along with the investigative findings, has prompted renewed reminders about the risks of night-time personal watercraft trips. Florida law requires a Coast Guard-approved wearable personal flotation device for everyone aboard a PWC under Florida Statute 327.39. Safety groups urge operators to use properly fitted PFDs, carry visual-distress signals and avoid going out alone after dark, guidance summarized by organizations such as BoatUS. Local authorities say those precautions can be lifesaving if a medical emergency or equipment failure occurs offshore.
Remembering Campbell
Campbell, who starred at Clemson and played 15 seasons in the NBA, including nine with the Los Angeles Lakers, was 57 when he died. Teammates and family remembered him as a devoted husband and father. The Los Angeles Times obituary quotes the family saying he "passed doing what he loved," noting his long career and 2004 championship with the Detroit Pistons. Coverage in the Los Angeles Times also includes reactions from former teammates and the wider basketball community.
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