Last week, it was reported that eight-year old Matadi Sela Petit, who had been flown to the U.S. by NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo for surgery to remove a large facial tumor, had tragically passed away. TMZrecently had the opportunity to catch up with Mutombo and get his thoughts during this rough time.
"We're hanging in there. We're trying to ship the body home. After tomorrow, we will know," he said. "We're trying to finish the paperwork." The goal is to give the boy a proper burial service with his family at his home in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Hall of Fame NBA center opened the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, dedicated to his late mother, back in 2007. This is where he first discovered the 8-year old boy with a large tumor on his face. The boy was flown out to Los Angeles with hopes of removing the tumor so that he could return to finish the school year and go on to live an easier life. Unfortunately, Matadi passed away as a result of a "rare and unpredictable genetic reaction to anesthesia."
Despite the tragedy, Mutombo remained positive and also said that he would continue his hospitable work in his home country. "It just makes me stronger."
Our prayers are with Matadi and his family during this difficult time.
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