News
Blood stains and chest pains – authorities investigate Shane Warne’s death
Thai police are investigating blood stains found in the luxury villa where cricketer Shane Warne was found dead, as his family tell authorities the spin king was suffering chest pains.
Police Colonel Yuthana Sirisombat, director of Bo Phut Provincial Police station in Koh Samui, revealed that Warne had a history of heart disease and asthma.
Police say Warne’s family had spoken to police in Thailand and revealed that there had been concerns about his health before he left Australia earlier this week.
Warne’s repatriation
Warne’s body was to be sent to Suratthani Hospital on Sunday for an autopsy, Colonel Sirisombat said.
His remains would then be sent to Australia, but Thai police were unable to give a timeline.
Allan McKinnon, Australia’s ambassador to Thailand, was at the Bo Phut Police Station where he was working with police to help get Warne’s body released.
“On behalf of Shane Warne’s family and his travelling companions, I’d like to thank (Thai Police) and his team here at the Bo Phut police station and the hospital in Koh Samui for facilitating this process and getting Shane Warne back to Australia as quickly as possible,” he said.
“They have been very compassionate, very efficient and very understanding.”
Police confirmed there were no drugs found in his room.
Mourning in Australia
In Australia, the Victorian government has offered Warne’s family a state funeral. The Great Southern Stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground will be renamed in his honour, according to the government.
There has been a mass outpouring of shock and grief following the tragedy.
At the MCG, hundreds have laid flowers and a makeshift shrine has been set up. One mourner left a can of Victoria Bitter, a meat pie and a packet of cigarettes. A fitting tribute to the cricketer who some say never grew up.