SURAT THANI: No foul play is suspected in the death of Australian cricket great Shane Warne on Koh Samui, police said on Saturday.
The 52-year-old was found unresponsive at Samujana Villas, a luxury resort in tambon Bo Phut on the northeastern tip of the resort island on Friday afternoon. He is believed to have suffered a heart attack.
Warne had arrived on Thursday with three friends for a week-long holiday at the resort, the start of a three-month lay-off after covering the 2021-22 Ashes series for Fox Sports.
Four days ago the champion leg-spinner had posted on Instagram his plan to lose weight and get back to his peak physical condition, The Guardian reported.
According to his manager James Erskine, the group were due to go for drinks at 5pm on Friday when Warne's friend Andrew Neophitou knocked on his door and realised "something was wrong".
"He went in there and said 'come on, you're going to be late' and then realised something was wrong,” The Sun newspaper quoted Erskine as saying.
"And he turned him over and gave him CPR and mouth to mouth, which lasted about 20 minutes and then the ambulance came.”
A rescue team member also performed CPR and when the ambulance arrived, he was rushed to Thai International Samui Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Pol Maj Gen Sathit Pholphinit, chief of Surat Thani police, said investigators had examined security video from cameras around the villa and found nothing unusual. They had questioned Warne’s friends and found nothing suspicious.
There were no bruises on his body. There were also no traces of the room having been disturbed or ransacked.
The forensic team that examined the room on Saturday afternoon found some bloodstains at two spots on the floor and bloodstains on three bath towels and a pillow. They also found two bottles of drinking water, one empty and one half-full.
His body was later sent to Surat Thani Hospital for a post-mortem examination, said Pol Maj Gen Sathit.
Australian Ambassador Allan McKinnon arrived on the island late on Saturday to make arrangements for the body to be released to the family.
Warne's death has sparked an outpouring of grief from fellow cricketers, celebrities and politicians.
Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger:
"I'm so saddened by the sudden death of Shane Warne. He brought such joy to the game and was the greatest spin bowler ever."
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison:
"He was very kind, and he was such a character that was, I think, what Australians loved about him as well. I mean, he knew he wasn't perfect. His life was full of great achievements, but also regrets, and he carried them the same way with an honesty and a humility about it. I think people could see a lot of themselves in Shane in that way ... but his dedication and professionalism and talent and, you know, as a cricketer that was just unrivalled, he was extraordinary."
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley:
"Shane was one of the most talented and charismatic cricketers we have ever witnessed. He loved cricket, had an extraordinarily astute understanding of the game and his influence and legacy will last for as long as it is played."
Australia Captain Pat Cummins:
"Shane was a once-in-a-century cricketer and his achievements will stand for all time, but apart from the wickets he took and the games he helped Australia win, what he did was draw so many people to the sport.
"So many of us in the playing group grew up idolising him and fell in love with this great sport as a result, while many of our support staff either played with him or against him.
"It has been a terrible couple of days for Australian cricket with the passing of Rod Marsh and now Shane."
England Captain Joe Root
"My experience of Shane was someone that also loved the game of cricket. He was always a joy to be around and gave so much energy to the sport.
"As a kid growing up, he was a massive idol of mine. Someone you wanted to emulate the way he could win a game on his own, his skill level was incredible. To have had the opportunity to get to know him a little bit it was deeply saddening to hear the news."
India Great Sachin Tendulkar
"Will miss you, Warnie. There was never a dull moment with you around, on or off the field. Will always treasure our on-field duels & off field banter. You always had a special place for India & Indians had a special place for you.
"Gone too young!"
People pay their respects at the base of a statue of former Australian cricket great Shane Warne at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on Saturday. (Photo: AFP)