Chilling new details have emerged about the moments before Shane Warne’s sudden death at a luxury Thai villa on Friday evening.
Warne’s long-time friend and manager James Erskine revealed on a Fox Sport special, Remembering Shane Warne, about the moment his colleague Andrew Neophitou found the cricket legend.
‘Shane had sort of decided he was going to have three months off and in fact he wanted a year off, and I said ‘there’s no way you can have a year off, they would’ve forgotten you by a year,’ so he decided to have three months off,’ Erskine told the program.
‘And this was just the start of it, and they’d only arrived the day or night before.’
It’s believed Neophitou was in the room next door to Warne.
‘They were going to have a drink at 5pm or go and meet someone to go out and have a drink at 5pm, and Neo knocked on his door at 5.15 because Warnie is always on time.
‘And he went in there and said “come on, you’re going to be late” and then realised something was wrong.
‘And he turned him over and gave him CPR and mouth to mouth, which lasted about 20 minutes and then the ambulance came.
‘They took him to the hospital, which was about a 20-minute drive and I got a phone call about 45 minutes later saying he was pronounced dead.’
Erskine told Nine Newspapers that Warne’s children Brooke, Summer and Jackson were ‘shattered by their father’s sudden death, and had been visited by their grandfather, Keith, early on Saturday.
Shane Warne’s father, Keith, is seen looking sombre at his Black Rock property in Melbourne. Warne’s mother Brigitte earlier told reporters, ‘we’re in shock’
Shane Warne’s brother Jason takes his son Sebastian to visit the Black Rock property in Melbourne
Jason Warne follows his father Keith out the front door of the Black Rock property on Saturday
A sombre looking Jason and Sebastian leave through the front gate after paying a visit to the Black Rock property
‘He made it all look so easy. At some point, in most Australian backyards, we all tried to deliver a flipper,’ Prime Minister Morrison said of Warne. The leg-spinning great’s family will be offered a state funeral by the Commonwealth and Victorian governments
Warne was found unconscious in his room at the luxury Samujana Villas resort on the island of Koh Samui on Friday
Warne during his relationship with actress Elizabeth Hurley at an event in England, 2012
‘He didn’t drink much. Everyone thinks he’s a big boozer but he’s not a big boozer at all,’ Erskine said.
‘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.
‘He was going to do the things he likes doing. He was going to play in one or two poker competitions, play a lot of golf, be with his kids, that was about it; [to] have time to himself.’
The revelations came as Warne’s parents break their silence after their son’s sudden death, and have been offered a state funeral for the cricket legend.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the nation was ‘in shock’ at Warne’s death in Thailand from a suspected heart attack at 52 and said he would organise the memorial with the Victorian government.
Warne’s father, Keith, was seen looking sombre outside his Black Rock property in Melbourne on Saturday morning.
His mother Brigitte spoke briefly to the Herald Sun outside the home.
‘We’re just in shock… we’re ok,’ she said.
Warne’s brother Jason and his nephew Sebastian were later seen visiting the property to comfort his parents.
The Australian cricket superstar turned commentator and businessman, and the greatest leg spinner in history, was found unconscious in his room at the luxury Samujana Villas resort on the island of Koh Samui on Friday.
Thai police said that Warne was staying in the villa with four friends, and when one of the group tried to wake Shane for food at around 5pm on Friday night he was found to be unresponsive.
Family and friends began to arrive at the Melbourne home of Warne’s former wife, Simone Callahan, early on Saturday morning.
‘It’s just numbingly shocking to hear about Shane’s passing today,’ Mr Morrison told 3AW in Melbourne.
‘The whole country would have woken up in shock today, it’s just terrible.
‘He was one of those cricketers who changed the game globally, not just here in Australia.
‘And at such a young age, younger than me. That is a terrible shock to all those who knew and loved him.’
Family and friends began to arrive at the Melbourne home of Warne’s former wife, Simone Callahan, early on Saturday morning
Family and friends have been arriving and leaving Michael Clarke’s Sydney home after learning of the death of Shane Warne
‘In the buffet of life, he ate well, but he also replenished… he gave it back in spades,’ Eddie McGuire, pictured outside the MCG, said of Warne
The Samujana Villas on Koh Samui, Thailand, where Shane Warne was staying with friends when he suffered a massive heart attack
Fans begin to add tributes to the base of the statue of Shane Warne outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Shane Warne’s biggest fans: Mum Bridgette and dad Keith watching their son play at the Second Test between Australia and Sri Lanka in Cairns in 2004
The state funeral is set to be held in Melbourne, with a date to be confirmed in consultation with the Warne family, Cricket Australia and the Victorian Government ‘to ensure it honours Shane’s passing and memory’.
Victorian sports minister Martin Pakula has also announced the Great Southern Stand at the MCG will be renamed the S.K. Warne Stand.
‘Shane was one of our greatest cricketers of all time, one of only a few that could approach the extraordinary achievements of the great Don Bradman. His achievements were the product of his talent, his discipline and passion for the game he loved,’ Morrison said.
‘But Shane was more than this to Australians. Shane was one of our nation’s greatest characters. His humour, his passion, his irreverence, his approachability ensured he was loved by all. Australians loved him. We all did.
Cricketing legend Sane Warne has died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 52
The iconic leg-spinner passed away in Thailand of a suspected heart attack, his management company said in a statement
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has paid an emotional tribute to cricketing great Shane Warne following his sudden death from a suspected heart attack, saying the nation was ‘in shock’
Prime Minister Scott Morrison posted a tribute to Shane Warne, expressing his shock at the cricket legend’s premature death at the age of 52
A tribute to Warne on the big screen of the MCG’s Southern Stand, which the Victorian government has announced will be renamed the SK Warne Stand
A fan is seen in tears while paying his respects to Australia Test cricket legend Shane Warne, who died aged 52 overnight, at his statue outside of the Melbourne Cricket Ground
‘There was something magical that he brought to our summers. The bleached blonde hair, the almost casual way he moved to send down a delivery, and his engagement with the crowd. He was one of a kind.
Morrsion said Warne inspired many children around the world to try their hand at cricket.
‘He made it all look so easy. At some point, in most Australian backyards, we all tried to deliver a flipper,’ he explained.
‘As we heard as a commentator, behind the playfulness that we associated with Shane, there was a player who understood the strategies and intricacies of cricket as few others. A brilliance that will always be remembered alongside that of Bradman and Benaud.
‘There was also a generosity to so many people away from the cameras. With a smile and a g’day he’d bridge every gap.
‘Shane was his own man, following his own path. In those times when he could have been knocked down by the headlines, he got back up. He always did.
‘Shane was the ‘King of Spin’ because there was none like him. The ‘ball of the century’ will be talked about forever,’ Morrison said.
A heartbroken fan pays tribute to Shane Warne outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday
Flowers, scarves and VB bottles have been placed at the foot of the statue of Shane Warne outside the MCG
A worn cricket ball with a heartfelt message from a fan is left at the base of the statue of Warne outside the MCG in Melbourne
A mother leads her daughter carrying a bouquet of flowers to place at the statue of Shane Warne outside the MCG
Shane Warne poses with radio personality Mick Molloy and TV star Eddie McGuire in 2014
‘Our love and condolences go to Shane’s family and particularly his children Brooke, Jackson, and Summer.
‘We have lost one of Australia’s greatest cricketers and today we are bewildered by this sad and sudden loss.
An emotional Pat Cummins joined celebrities, sports stars, former teammates and politicians from around the world to pay tribute to the cricket legend on Saturday.
‘The game was never the same after Warnie emerged, and the game will never be the same after his passing,’ Cummins said in a video uploaded to Twitter. ‘Rest in peace, King.’
The Australian test captain looked down the camera with tear-filled eyes as he recalled fond memories of ‘Warnie’.
An emotional Pat Cummins has led tributes for Shane Warne after the legendary former Australian star’s death from a heart attack at the age of 52
Warne pictured with his former wife and the mother of his three children, Simone Callahan, in 1995
‘Warnie was an all-time great, a once in a century type cricketer and his records will live on forever,’ he said.
‘We all grew up watching Warnie, idolising him. We loved so much about Warnie. His showmanship, his charisma, his tactics. The way he just wheeled himself and the team to win games for Australia.’
Mark Taylor thought Shane Warne’s ‘turbulent life’ would just keep rolling on forever.
But now, the former Australian captain is like the rest of his teammates: numbed at news of Warne’s death.
‘He has had a turbulent life but a very full life,’ Taylor told the Nine Network on Saturday.
‘He had been through all sorts of scandals. He mesmerised us with his bowling and his competitive nature on the field.
A boy adds a floral tribute to the base of the statue of Shane Warne outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground
‘We have loved that real ocker side of Shane Warne. You just felt, I certainly did, he would go on forever. It is a huge shock for me and it is a huge shock for the cricketing world.’
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has offered Warne’s family a state funeral to honour the legendary cricketer.
‘Victoria has lost an icon. Australia has lost a legend. And the entire cricketing world is mourning the loss of the King,’ Mr Andrews said in a statement.
Melbourne identity and friend of Warne, Eddie McGuire, told 3AW that the Great Southern Stand at the MCG should possibly be renamed to honour Warne.
‘In the buffet of life, he ate well, but he also replenished… he gave it back in spades,’ McGuire said.
‘He got himself in some scrapes along the way but mainly through his giving nature.’
Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell repeatedly broke down talking about the passing of Warne on the Triple M Dead Set Legends radio show on Saturday morning.
‘He was a life-loving person. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more caring, loyal and generous person than him, Maxwell said.
Australian cricket Glenn Maxwell repeatedly broke down when discussing Warne’s death on Triple M’s Deadset Legends radio show on Saturday
Former cricket Mitchell Johnson was one of many to pay tribute to Warne after hearing the terrible news
Another of Warne’s Australian captains, Steve Waugh, said he had ‘so many memories and moments that will never be forgotten’ of the legspinner.
‘It was a privilege and a pleasure to play alongside you,’ Waugh posted on Instagram.
Glenn McGrath said he was ‘absolutely devastated’.
Like Taylor, he believed ‘nothing could ever happen to him’.
‘Warnie was larger than life … he lived more in his life than most people would live in 20,’ McGrath said.
‘He was the ultimate competitor. He thought the game was never lost, that he could turn it around and bring us to victory, which he did so many times.
‘I think he lived his life the same way. There seemed to be never a dull moment. Rest In Peace my good mate, there’ll never again be anyone like you.’
Mark Waugh described Warne as the ‘ultimate entertainer’ both on and off the field.
‘It’s just unfathomable to lose another great of our cricket family,’ Waugh posted on Twitter.
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd took to Twitter to share his shock and heartbreak over the sudden and unexpected death.
‘I just can’t believe this. Larger than life. A living legend. No longer with us. Far too young,’ he wrote.
‘Both cricket and the country so much poorer for his passing. May you Rest In Peace Warnie. My deepest condolences to his family. The country mourns his passing.’
Former cricketer Mitchell Johnson described Warne as ‘the best Spin bowler I have ever seen.’
‘I am in complete shock. So said to hear the news of the passing of Shane Warne, the king, the best spin bowler I have ever seen.
‘Warnie made spin bowling cool, exciting and his skills were just phenomenal. An entertainer of the game, you will be missed mate.’
Legendary wicket-keeper Shane Watson said he was ‘numb’ after learning about the passing of his ‘mentor’.
‘The impact he had on the great game of cricket and everyone around it is immeasurable,’ he wrote. ‘Warnie, I am going to miss you so much. Thank you mate for being so bloody good to me.’
Rolling Stones frontman, rock’n’roll legend and cricket tragic Mick Jagger paid a special tribute to Warne
‘Kath and Kim’ star Magda Szubanski shared her grief over the legendary cricketer who made a guest appearance as her fiance on the hit TV show in 2007
Adam Gilchrist added: ‘The highlight of my cricketing career was to keep wicket to Warnie. Best seat in the house to watch the maestro at work.’
Darren Lehmann, a teammate of Warne who later became Australia’s coach, said he was devastated.
‘Shane was the most generous, fun-loving superstar of our game … he was always charismatic caring and true friend,’ Lehmann posted on Twitter.
Former Australia quick Brett Lee hailed Warne as the ‘rock star’ of cricket.
‘Can’t believe it. The greatest bowler to play the game ever! The RockStar of cricket ! Gone too soon,’ Lee posted on Twitter.
Cricket Australia added: ‘We are shocked and saddened by the passing of Shane Warne. A true cricketing genius. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans all across the world.’
‘Kath and Kim’ star Magda Szubanski shared her grief over the legendary cricketer who made a guest appearance as her fiance on the hit TV show in 2007.
‘I’ve woken in the middle of the night to this terrible news,’ she wrote. ‘I’m in complete shock. This is just too sad. Devastating.
‘Incredible to think that bright, cheeky spark has been snuffed out.’
‘The world will be less bright and interesting with him gone,’ broadcaster Leigh Sales said of Warne
Warne is chaired from the field by team-mates Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden after leading Australia to victory in the fourth Test match against England at the MCG in Melbourne, 2006
ABC host Leigh Sales said Warne was at the top of her interview wishlist when she joined the public broadcaster.
‘Vale Warnie: a genius cricketer, a charismatic raconteur and one of the great, great Australian characters,’ she wrote. ‘The world will be less bright and interesting with him gone.’
It’s believed Warne’s manager Andrew Neophitou performed CPR on the cricket great for around 20 minutes to try and save his life before an ambulance arrived.
He was then taken to the Thai International Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Thai Police Senior Sergeant Major Suporn Hemruangsree said: ‘Police received a report about somebody who died at the Thai International Hospital so we went and asked the hotel, and found out that the deceased was with four other friends and died in the room.
Warne’s final Instagram post from Koh Samui’s Samujana Villa, Thailand. The cricketing legend was on a break with four friends
‘In the villa, the people were sleeping in separate rooms. They were sleeping from afternoon to evening, until about 5pm.
‘At 5pm somebody came to call out this person for dinner but the deceased did not respond so they called three other friends to perform CPR for 20 minutes. They waited for the ambulance to come.
‘The doctor announced the death of the person at 6:53pm. Police went and checked the room and there was no sign of intrusion or possessions being searched through. The body was sent for an autopsy at Koh Samui Hospital.’
Warne’s manager separately confirmed his death, saying that the father-of-three could not be revived.
Family and friends began to arrive at the Melbourne home of Warne’s former wife, Simone Callahan, early on Saturday morning.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials have spoken to those travelling with Warne in Thailand and would work with Thai authorities to confirm arrangements for transport of his body back to Australia.
