Tributes for legend mate
VICTORIAN country footballer Riki Stephens died with his grieving family at his side yesterday.
The 27-year-old had been battling a noxious chemical reaction in his body after he took a cocktail of drugs during a night out on the Gold Coast last weekend.
Mr Stephens was among more than 20 people who needed medical treatment after taking a batch of dangerous drugs peddled across the Glitter Strip.
Some who took the drug which toxicology reports found was a mixture of MDMA and synthetic LSD reported “demonic hallucinations” while others showed erratic behaviour and superhuman strength.
But for Mr Stephens, a strong full forward for Heathcote Saints, the drugs he took were fatal.
Mr Stephens’ family turned off his life support on Thursday night after doctors at Gold Coast University Hospital said he would not recover.
With tributes flooding his Facebook page Mr Stephens’ remained alive until yesterday morning.
“Words can’t describe the shock we are all feeling after the loss of this absolute legend,” friend Joel Osbrough posted to Mr Stephens’ page.
“You were a fierce competitor on the field and the one we all couldn’t wait to have a beer with off the field,” he said.
Many of the tributes remembered Mr Stephens’ “cheeky grin” and cited the quote “ain’t no thing like a chicken wing”.
“You could put a smile on anyone’s face. My heart breaks for your family and close friends, a pain that I could never imagine,” Abbi Weatherald posted.
Gold Coast Superintendent Michelle Stenner offered condolences to the family.
“This is a waste of human life. He had his whole future ahead of him. And as a result of ingesting substances he has lost his battle,” Supt Stenner said.
Supt Stenner said two men who are directly related to Mr Stephens’ case have been charged with supplying dangerous drugs.
She could not say if the charges would be upgraded but sent a tough warning to Gold Coast drug dealers.
“We will find you. We will catch you and we will prosecute you,” Supt Stenner said.
“Take this as a warning.”