Shane Warne: Cricket star’s body to be flown home on Thursday morning
Thai police have provided an update on when Shane Warne’s body will be flown home. It comes as Elizabeth Hurley reached out to his children for support.
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Exclusive: Shane Warne’s body is set to be flown home on Thursday morning, according to Thai police sources.
The Aussie cricket star, who died from a heart attack in a luxury villa in Thailand on Friday night, will leave by private jet from Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok at 8am Thursday, Thai time.
It is not yet confirmed where the plane will land, but it is presumed to be Melbourne.
The 52-year-old’s body has been in the mortuary of the police hospital in the Thai capital since Tuesday.
More details of when the body will leave the hospital are expected later today.
Warne was on holiday with friends on the island of Koh Samui, when he was found unresponsive in his villa.
Despite their desperate attempts, he could not be revived.
An autopsy at Suratthani Hospital revealed he had died from natural causes.
Thai law means the family of the deceased have to release the body from the mortuary.
However, they have given permission for the Australian Embassy and a lawyer to do it on their behalf.
Australian ambassador to Thailand Allan McKinnon has helped speed up the process of the repatriation.
A state funeral is due to be held in Victoria for the Australian cricketing great, with March 30 the most likely date.
HURLEY REACHES OUT TO WARNE’S CHILDREN
The ongoing close relationship between Warne’s children and his former fiancee Elizabeth Hurley has been revealed in public messages of love on Instagram.
Warne’s youngest daughter, Summer, wrote a heartbreaking Instagram post about the last moment with her dad, jamming to their favourite songs.
British actor and model Hurley responded to the post saying, “I love you, Summer. Your daddy worshipped you”, along with a heart emoji.
Summer replied: “Love u so much”.
Hurley’s son Damien also wrote on Summer’s post: “I love you so much”.
The messages of support came after Summer wrote about her last moment with her cricket legend father, who died of a heart attack at 52.
She posted: “Moments before the world took you away from me, we were jamming to Summer of 69 and I’ve Had The Time Of My Life.
“Talking about how much you loved that song and seeing your smile light up the whole room while we danced and couldn’t stop laughing at each other.
“God you made me laugh dad. Little did I know that was the last time I would ever see you dad.
“I’d do anything to hear that laugh again, anything to hear your voice, anything to have one of your cuddles, anything to be with you again for one last time.
“I took our time for granted dad and I would do anything to have more time with you on this earth. Our time was robbed and I wish you would come back to me.”
Her brother Jackson also responded to the post saying, “I love you Summer, I’m always going to be here for you.”
Warne and Hurley, 56, started dating in 2010.
The cricket legend proposed the following year, but they split in 2013 before taking their vows.
Despite the passing of time and Hurley and Damien being on the other side of the world, it is evident that the two families have a close bond.
Hurley’s son Damien also paid tribute to Warne after his shock death, saying he looked up to him as a father figure.
He wrote: “I’m still trying to wrap my head around this … SW was a father figure to me for most of my formative years and was truly one the best men I’ve ever known,” Damian wrote.
“My heart is broken. Thinking of and sending love to all SW’s family.”
FUNERAL DETAILS REVEALED
Details for Warne’s funeral arrangements have been revealed.
A final farewell at the MCG is expected to be held on Wednesday March 30, with a private family funeral slated for the end of next week.
Detailed discussions have taken place with the Melbourne Cricket Club, but all plans are on hold until Warne’s body has been repatriated.
Family funeral plans were also unconfirmed but the end of next week was the early favoured option.
Eddie McGuire, who helped create the Melbourne Stars with Warne, has been tipped to be master of ceremonies at the state memorial.
A VIP guest list was being drawn up, with those likely to get seats near the front of the stage.
There were discussions about whether the event would be ticketed for the general public, with leading ticketing companies likely to be approached.
Demand for tickets could see a packed house at the venue, which seats 100,000 in the stands.
Warne was close friends with Coldplay singer Chris Martin, and Mick Jagger posted a tribute to him after his death.
Singer Ed Sheeran had spoken to Warne in the days leading up to his death where they mourned the anniversary of the loss of music promoter Michael Gudinski.
Sheeran was granted an exemption from Australia’s strict border rules last year to attend Mr Gudinski’s funeral.
“The world keeps taking incredible people away,” Sheeran said following Warne’s death.
Sheeran is playing shows in London this month, but has a clear four-day window before a gig at Alexandra Palace on March 31.
A full list of speakers, and whether any musical acts would be involved, were still to be confirmed.
NEW PHOTOS FROM INSIDE WARNE’S ROOM
Thai police on Tuesday released new pictures showing the inside of Warne’s room – including his open suitcase on the floor and his shoes placed neatly on a bench.
Several bloodstained towels could be seen on the floor. Police had earlier confirmed the blood was a result of his friends and ambulance crews performing CPR.
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