Shane Warne: The last picture
Star grins in snap taken hours before shock death
SHANE Warne beams at the camera in the final photo of the cricket superstar.
It was taken hours before his shock death on the Thai holiday island of Koh Samui last week. His friend Tom Hall shared the picture online yesterday as he paid tribute to the Australian bowler, known as the King of Spin.
The snap was taken at 11am last Friday. Warne, 52, died after being found unresponsive at his villa around 5pm. Police said yesterday that he died of natural causes.
Mr Hall said earlier in the day that fatherof-three Warne had joined him and other friends at the resort for a meal of Aussie favourite Vegemite on toast. He added: ‘An
‘He died of natural causes’
Australian through and through – this was to turn out to be his last meal. Ever the caring father, as I was leaving he headed up to his bedroom to call his kids.’
Mr Hall said Warne had previously complained of chest pains and shortness of breath to another friend. It was initially believed that the star suffered a heart attack. Thai police said yesterday: ‘Investigators received an autopsy report today in which a forensic doctor concludes the death was due to natural causes.’
Meanwhile, Warne’s parents, Keith and Brigitte, issued an emotional statement saying his death was a ‘never-ending nightmare’ for the family and a ‘tragedy we will never come to terms with’.
They added: ‘To find words to adequately express our sadness is an impossible task for us and looking to a future without Shane is inconceivable.’
The grieving couple attended a family gathering in Warne’s native Melbourne with his children. His daughters Summer and Brooke paid tribute. Summer, 20, said: ‘Dad, I miss you so much already. I wish I could’ve hugged you tighter in what I didn’t know were my final moments with you and your final breaths were only moments away. I wish I could’ve told you that everything was going to be OK and hold your hand. You are the best Dad someone could ever ask for.’
Brooke, 24, said: ‘Dad, this doesn’t feel real and doesn’t make sense that you are not here with us any more. It doesn’t feel right you were taken away too soon and life is so cruel. I will forever cherish our final memories together, laughing and joking around with each other. We were happy.’
Warne’s body will be transported back to Australia. His family were last night reported to have accepted the offer of a state funeral, with the 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground a possible venue.