Shane Warne's manager shoots down ugly theory surrounding death
Shane Warne's manager has moved to dismiss theories that the Aussie cricket legend's death had anything to do with drugs, revealing the 52-year-old "hated them".
On Sunday, Warne's body was taken from Koh Samui island by ferry to the Surat Thani mainland and then on to a local hospital, where an autopsy was due to take place.
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There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death from what is believed to have been a heart attack.
Warne was found unresponsive in his villa on the Thai island and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Thai police have since revealed that Warne recently visited a doctor about chest pains he was experiencing.
The King of Spin was well-known for his extravagant lifestyle, leading to questions about whether certain vices played a part in his death.
But on Sunday, long-time manager James Erskine moved to dismiss any suggestions that drugs were involved.
“He was on holiday, having a lie down, siesta, he hadn’t been drinking, he’d been on this diet to lose weight,” Erskine told Fox Cricket.
“He didn’t drink much. Everyone thinks he’s a big boozer but he’s not a big boozer at all.
"I sent him a crate of wine, 10 years later it’s still there. He doesn’t drink, never took drugs, ever. He hated drugs so nothing untoward.”
Erskine also revealed Warne had recently come off a "ridiculous" fluid-only diet.
"He did go on these ridiculous sorts of diets, and he was just finished with one," he told the Nine Network.
"It was a bit all or nothing. It was either white buns with butter and lasagna stuffed in the middle or he would be having black and green juices.
"He obviously smoked most of his life. I don't know. I think it was just a massive heart attack."
Paramedic also says drugs not involved in Warne's death
Meanwhile, a paramedic who was one of the first responders verified claims that drugs weren't involved.
Anuch Han-iam told The Sun the room where Warne died was very clean and there were no signs of partying.
Mr Anuch described how Warne's friends desperately tried to revive him by applying CPR.
"They were desperate. I think one was crying. They were really stressed and panicked," he said.
"They kept trying to wake him and I heard someone saying, 'come on, Shane, come on, Shane'.
"I could see they were all shocked and I just tried to concentrate and do my best.
"I did my best for him and gave all my energy. I'm so sorry that I couldn't help him."
Former Aussie captain Greg Chappell also shot down the ugly theory.
“I’ve read a couple things and heard a couple things about what Warnie might have been doing in Thailand and particularly around drugs,” Chappell told Sky News.
“He hated drugs, he didn’t need drugs, he was high on life.
“He was a doting father, he loved his kids, he talked about them whenever he got the opportunity.
“He was a quintessential Australian larrikin.”
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