How Shane Warne's family reacted to news of his sudden death
Shane Warne’s long-time manager has provided harrowing details of how the cricket great's family reacted to the tragic news of his shock death.
James Erskine had the brutal task of having to inform family members that the 52-year-old had died of a suspected heart attack in a Thailand hotel on Friday evening, in news that has sent shockwaves around the world.
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Warne's manager received the grim news from Andrew Neophitou - a close friend of the cricket legend who is also an executive producer on the recently released documentary SHANE.
Neophitou reportedly became concerned that Warne was going to be late to meet friends, before finding him unresponsive in the Thai villa.
Despite Neophitou's best efforts to save Warne by performing CPR until ambulance officers arrived, the 52-year-old was unable to be revived.
“They were meant to meet some people at 5pm. Neo (Neophitou) was next door, he’s always on time,” Erskine told The Age.
“He realised he wasn’t well. He tried to give mouth-to-mouth, tried to resuscitate him, he had no heartbeat, the ambulance came 20 minutes later and an hour and a bit later he was pronounced dead.”
Erskine was then tasked with informing Warne's family, revealing that ex-wife Simone was "really upset" and their three kids - Jackson, Brooke and Summer - were having trouble contemplating life without their father.
“I think the three children are in complete shock,” Erskine told Weekend Today.
“I spoke to them yesterday and again.
“Jackson just said, ‘We just expect him to walk in the door. This is like a bad dream’.
“I spoke to Simone, who was really upset, and obviously Keith, Shane’s father, is a pretty strong individual but, like everybody he’s just shattered. They can’t believe what’s happened.
“I think that’s what happens when you have a sudden death and you’re not expecting it. One minute the kids are talking to him every day, the next minute they can’t talk to him and then they start thinking about, ‘He’s not going to be there for my 21st, he’s not going to take me down the aisle’.
“All of those sorts of things go through your head. They are having a much harder time than anybody really.”
Warne’s mother Brigitte briefly spoke with the Herald Sun on Saturday saying: “We’re just in shock. We’re OK.”
Reports from Thailand state that bloodstains were found around Warne's room, including on the floor, as well as pillows and bath towels.
Commander of Surat Thani Provincial Police, Pol Maj Gen Satit Polpini, told local newspaper Matichon that Warne had “coughed up liquid and was bleeding” when CPR started.
It comes as new photos have emerged from the villa where Warne was staying, showing police questioning guests at the hotel.
Shane Warne had pre-existing condition
Thai police - who previously confirmed that there were no signs of foul play - have now revealed that Warne had seen doctors about a pre-existing heart condition before his death.
Police said the 52-year-old would be flown from Koh Samui to nearby Surat Thani on Sunday for an autopsy, before being transported home to Australia.
Warne had asthma and "had seen doctors regarding a heart condition prior to his death", local police chief Yutthana Sirisombat said.
He added that relatives also said the Test great had previously suffered chest pain.
Sirisombat also said "no drug substance was detected in Warne's body," without giving further details.
The Victorian and federal governments have both offered a state funeral to his family, while the MCG will rename a stand in his honour.
"Nobody who saw Shane Warne play will ever forget him," Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said on Saturday.
"To us, he was the greatest - but to his family, he was so much more."
Tributes have continued to pour in for the cricket great, with newspapers, celebrities, politicians and adoring fans lining up to recall their memories of the legendary leg-spinner.
Others left flowers, meat pies, beers and cigarettes at his statue outside the MCG, where the southern stand will be renamed the S.K. Warne Stand.
with agencies
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