NBA^® Star Vanishes

Bison Dele, a former NBA^® player known for his talent on the court, vanished under mysterious circumstances in 2002. The story of his disappearance remains one of the most perplexing and tragic cases in sports history.

The NBA Career of Bison Dele

Bison Dele, born Brian Carson Williams, was a prominent NBA player from 1991 to 1999. After playing in college for the Arizona Wildcats, Dele was drafted by the Orlando Magic as the 10th overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft. His career included stints with several teams, including the Chicago Bulls, where he won a championship in 1997, and the Detroit Pistons, where he achieved personal bests in scoring and rebounds.

Dele changed his name in 1998 to honor his Native American and African ancestry. Despite a promising career, he retired abruptly in 1999, leaving a $36.45 million contract on the table. His decision to retire at the age of 30 shocked the basketball community, as he was still at the peak of his abilities.

The Fateful Voyage

In July 2002, Dele, along with his girlfriend Serena Karlan, his brother Miles Dabord, and the boat's captain Bertrand Saldo, embarked on a sailing trip on Dele's catamaran, the "Hakuna Matata." This journey turned into a nightmare, as Dele, Karlan, and Saldo never returned.

The only person who came back from the trip was Dabord. The boat was later found with suspicious bullet holes patched up. Dabord was implicated in the disappearance after he attempted to buy gold using Dele's identity and passport. The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with French authorities, concluded that Dabord had killed Dele, Karlan, and Saldo, and disposed of their bodies at sea, which were never recovered.

Conflicting Accounts and Investigation

Miles Dabord's account of the events differed significantly from the investigators' conclusions. According to Dabord, an argument broke out between the brothers, during which Karlan was accidentally killed. Dabord claimed that Dele then killed the captain to prevent him from reporting Karlan's death. In self-defense, Dabord allegedly shot his brother and disposed of all three bodies overboard.

Dabord's version of the story was never fully corroborated, and he never faced justice for the alleged crimes. Shortly after his return to the U.S., Dabord overdosed on insulin and died in a California hospital, taking the truth of what happened on the "Hakuna Matata" to his grave.

Legacy and Unanswered Questions

Bison Dele's disappearance remains a haunting mystery. His career, marked by significant achievements, was abruptly cut short by his decision to retire and his life's tragic end. The circumstances surrounding his death and the lack of recovered bodies leaves many questions unanswered.

Dele's life and mysterious end continue to intrigue and sadden fans and true crime enthusiasts alike. His story is a stark reminder of how even the most successful and promising lives can be abruptly and tragically altered.

References: The NBA player that went missing and was never found | Bison Dele killed by brother: report