Janis Timma's devastated ex-wife Anna Sedokova shares heartbreaking video after his death on her birthday
The ex-wife of tragic NBA star Janis Timma has released a tearful video on social media after he was found dead in Moscow on her birthday.
Timma, 32, was discovered lifeless on the entrance stairway of a high-rise residential complex in the Russian capital on Monday, which also marked ex Anna Sedokova's 42nd birthday.
Reports suggest a phone with a message from Sedokova - a Ukrainian singer and actress - was next to him when his body was found, with the preliminary cause of death ruled as suicide.
Yet amid the speculation surrounding his sudden passing, a devastated Anna has shared an emotional video on social media calling for privacy in a bid to protect her children.
'I beg you very much,' she said in Ukrainian, via The Sun.
'I've wondered my whole life how people who have something like this happen to them can still post stories and now, I'm asking you very strongly - I have a child, he's small, he doesn't need to know any of this.'
The ex-wife of tragic NBA star Janis Timma has released a tearful video on social media
Timma, who was set to divorce Sedokova after four years of marriage, died on Monday at 32
Without going into specific details, Sedokova also added: 'You have no idea what hell I have lived through over the last few years.
'I just have to save my child from this information. If you can, please keep it to yourself.'
Timma and Sedokova, who tied the knot in 2020, had filed for divorce earlier this year.
While the couple had no children together, Anna is reportedly a mom to three children from previous relationships.
Four days before his passing, Timma posted a haunting video of him shooting around at an outdoor court in the rain. The clip was in black and white and showed silhouettes of him, the ball, the trees behind him, and the hoop.
While the clip was visually somber, it was soundtracked by an upbeat song; 'Boombastic' by reggae singer Shaggy.
He is seen hitting a long-range shot before walking under the hoop and shooting a tear-drop before the clip ends. The video was posted without a caption.
The small forward was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 60th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft. He was later traded to the Orlando Magic, leading to an appearance at the 2021 NBA Summer League.
Sedokova, a Ukrainian singer and actress, is demanding privacy for the sake of her children
She tied the knot with Timma back in 2020, but the pair had filed for divorce earlier this year
Timma was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 60th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft
Timma also represented Latvia at several junior and senior tournaments and was part of the team that won the bronze medal in the 2010 FIBA U18 European Championship. He played 35 matches for his national team since his 2014 debut and scored 338 points.
More recently, he faced backlash when he announced his intention to play professionally in Russia despite the country's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
His decision signaled the end of his international career as Latvian athletes are banned from participating in Russian sports events.
'It's something interesting to me,' he told Latvian outlet LSM in October. '[I] Thought, why not give it a try?'
For support call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org or www.thecalmzone.net/get-support, or call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988 in the US.
