Mother of AFL player Rhett Bazzo found dead after boat accident in WA

Police have revealed that the mother of West Coast Eagles player Rhett Bazzo has been found dead after she fell from a boat following an accident in Mandurah, south of Perth. Kylie Bazzo's body was found on Sunday by police after the accident on Saturday night.

Four people were on the boat when it reportedly collided with a post marker in the Mandurah Estuary. Deborah Burdon – a friend of Mrs Bazzo – was recovered from the water, however she later died.

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Deborah’s husband John Burdon was reportedly driving the boat and was taken to the Royal Perth Hospital with serious injuries. Another man on board at the time escaped unharmed.

Police confirmed on Monday morning that the body of Mrs Bazzo had been found. Police recovered the body on Sunday night near Creery Island.

Detectives spent all of Sunday searching for Mrs Bazzo. Duty Inspector Vic Hussey told the ABC: “We are currently searching the water potentially for at least one person that may be missing from a vessel that was involved in a collision.

“Regrettably there is one person that is deceased as a result of this collision. We are aware of the fact that potentially the boat has hit a navigation marker or something similar."

Western Australia Police acting Superintendent Peter Morrissey said on Sunday that it was unlikely Mrs Bazzo was still alive. “We’ve done land-based searches and water-based searches and at this stage, we’re probably in a space where we’re looking to recover the body,” he said.

"The speed and all the circumstances surrounding the crash will be at the forefront of the investigation. It is way too early at this stage to determine any sort of criminality or any sort of responsibility for this."

AFL fans send well-wishes to Rhett Bazzo

Rhett Bazzo, 19, is a rising star for the West Coast Eagles after being drafted by the club in 2021. He played nine matches last year, averaging 9.9 disposals per game.

"We are super excited and proud of you Rhett - hard work and commitment definitely pays off," Mrs Bazzo recently wrote online after her son's contract was extended until 2025.

Rhett is the son of WAFL great Steve Bazzo, who died of cancer when Rhett and his sister Kameron were young children. “My family has given up a lot of things to make sure I can try and live out my childhood dream and I know my Dad would be looking down on me proud,” Rhett told reporters after he was drafted.

Fans have taken to social media with well-wishes for Bazzo and his family. Journalist Ryan Daniels tweeted on Monday: "Awful, heartbreaking news for young West Coast Eagles defender Rhett Bazzo. Police have confirmed his mother, Kylie Bazzo, is the second fatal victim of a boating accident in Mandurah Estuary. The club says it is doing everything possible to support Rhett and his family."

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