Shane Warne’s autopsy has confirmed that the iconic Australian cricket died of natural causes.
Warne died suddenly, aged just 52, on Friday of a suspected heart attack on the Thai island of Koh Samui, where he had arrived a day earlier to holiday with friends.
Tributes have poured in this weekend for a bowler who took 708 Test and 293 ODI wickets, and won just about every honour available in the game.
His vibrant personality saw him transcend sport, which has led Victorian premier Dan Andrews to announce that Warne will be given the rare honour of a state funeral.
In addition, the Great Southern Stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Warne’s homeground, will be permanently renamed after the ex-bowler. There is already a statue of him bowling outside the stadium, with well-wishers leaving gifts such as flowers, beer and cigarettes in his memory, as others have done in Koh Samui.
Thai authorities conducted the autopsy over the weekend.
“Today investigators received the autopsy result, in which the medical opinion is that the cause of death is natural," Kissana Phathanacharoen, deputy national police spokesperson, said in a statement.
“Investigators will summarise the autopsy result for prosecutors within the timeframe of the law.”
The statement did not confirm exactly how Warne had died, but police have said that he complained of chest pains before his death. Warne’s manager, James Erskine, revealed that Warne had been on a “ridiculous” extreme diet in the fortnight before he died.
The Warne family have accepted the findings of the autopsy, and his body will now return to Australia. They have accepted Andrews’ offer of a state funeral, but will also hold a smaller, private event.
Warne’s family, including his three children (who are all in their early twenties), his brother, and parents have spoken about their loss, describing the days since as a “never-ending nightmare”.
His parents Keith and Brigitte said: “To find words to adequately express our sadness is an impossible task for us and looking to a future without Shane is inconceivable, hopefully the mountain of happy memories we all have will help us cope with our ongoing grief.”
Son Jackson, the middle child, said he had lost his “best friend”.
“I don’t think anything is ever going to fill the void you have left in my heart,” he said. “Sitting at the poker table, walking around the golf course, watching the Saints and eating pizza is never going to be the same.”
