Shane Warne’s body has been removed from the local mortuary and is expected to undergo a post-mortem to confirm his cause of death.
Emergency services arrived at the Koh Samui Hospital mortuary on Sunday morning local time to transport the late 52-year-old, just two days after he suffered a suspected heart attack while holidaying on the Thai island with a handful of mates.
The Australian cricket icon was rushed to hospital from his luxury resort off Thailand’s mainland but could not be revived.
Warne’s family hoped to avoid having him undergo a post-mortem in Thailand so his body could be flown back to Australia as soon as possible.
But on Sunday, Warne’s remains were covered in a pink blanket as he was stretchered to a car destined for the Thai mainland.
It’s understood he will be taken to Suratthani Hospital – about 125km and three hours from Koh Samui – for the procedure.
Thai police said the body must be examined to find the cause of death and a report will then be sent to the Australian embassy in Bangkok.
‘I am waiting for the autopsy report. If there is nothing suspicious, then the case is closed,’ Thai police lieutenant-colonel Chatchawin Nakmusik said on Saturday.
Pictured: The body of Australian cricket player Shane Warne is transported from Koh Samui Hospital mortuary
Warne’s remains were covered in a pink blanket and body bag as he was stretchered to a car destined for the Thai mainland
A mortuary worker at Koh Samui Hospital helped to move Shane Warne’s remains. It’s understood he will be taken to Suratthani Hospital – about 125km or three hours from Koh Samui for an autopsy
A mortuary worker disinfects himself as he prepares to move Warne’s body, just two days after he tragically died while on a holiday with his mates in Thailand
Paramedic Anuch Han-Iam, who was one of the first responders on the scene, told media on the scene that when he and his colleague arrived at the villa, Warne’s friends were already performing CPR.
‘They were trying to bring him back to life… They were desperate. I think one was crying. Really stressed and panicked,’ he told The Sun.
‘They kept trying to wake him… I heard someone saying ”come on Shane, come on”.’
Mr Han-Iam said there were no women in the room, nor was there ‘anything unusual that made [him] think they’d been partying’.
‘I did my best for him and gave all my energy. I’m so sorry that I couldn’t help him.’
Jackson Warne shared a final photo with his famous dad (right and centre) on January 31, 2022. The pair were pictured beaming while watching the Australian Open alongside Australian Rules footballer Steven Baker
Warne, 52, died of a suspected heart attack at the luxury Samujana Villas resort on the Thai island of Koh Samui on Friday evening
Warne had been reportedly suffering chest pains and was having trouble with his asthma before travelling to Thailand. An autopsy will be completed on Sunday to confirm his cause of death
The local police chief said Warne visited a tailor to have a suit made earlier on Friday and ordered two local masseuses to come to his villa.
‘He called the girl to massage. It was just massage. He didn’t die because of the massage. He wasn’t well,’ he said.
Warne’s family told authorities he was suffering health problems before travelling, including troubles with his asthma and chest pains.
He’d also completed a 14-day ‘extreme’ liquid diet in an attempt to slim down in the days before his death.
Just five days ago, Warne shared an old picture of himself without a shirt to Instagram, revealing he was working hard to get back in shape.
‘Operation shred has started (10 days in) & the goal by July is to get back to this shape from a few years ago ! Let’s go,’ he wrote.
Shane Warne completed a 14-day ‘extreme’ liquid diet in an attempt to slim down to his former best before he tragically died of a suspected heart attack while holidaying in Thailand
Just five days ago, Warne shared an old picture of himself without a shirt to Instagram, revealing he was working hard to get back in shape
Warne’s long-time manager James Erskine revealed on Sunday that Warne took to drastic measures to trim down, including partaking in liquid-only diets.
At the time of his death, he’d recently finished an extreme and ‘ridiculous’ cleanse in which he only had fluids for about 14 days, Erskine revealed.
‘It was a bit all or nothing. It was either white buns with butter and lasagne stuffed in the middle, or he would be having black and green juices,’ he said.
‘He obviously smoked most of his life [but] I don’t know, I think it was just a massive heart attack. That’s what I think’s happened.’
Tributes are left as people pay their respects at a statue of former Australian cricket great Shane Warne outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Thai officials agreed Warne’s death was not suspicious, and noted no alcohol or cigarettes were found inside the luxury villa.
Thai police revealed on Saturday that they found his room splattered with bloodstains from the prolonged CPR but ruled out foul play.
Two pools of blood were found on the carpet at the foot of Warne’s bed as well as three blood-stained towels, and one pillow, with blood stains also on the mattress.
Ambulance crews also reported a pool of vomit by the bed.
Australian government officials have now met with Warne’s friends in Koh Samui to discuss bringing his body home to Melbourne.
Tributes to cricketer Shane Warne are seen outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne
Warne’s final Instagram post from Koh Samui’s Samujana Villa, Thailand. The cricketing legend was on a break with four friends
