Tributes pour in for Maryborough Correctional Centre prisoner Lui Matalio Dylan Tiaaleaiga

He died as a prisoner but to his family and friends, this gifted league player and martial arts champ was a proud Samoan “warrior” and loving young dad known as “Dee” who had simply lost his way.

Dee Tiaaleaiga pictured with his partner Lana Gray.

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A prisoner who died in hospital after being found unresponsive in his cell at a Queensland jail is being remembered as a warrior “as strong as 10 men” who fought his demons “of equal strength”.

Lui Matalio Dylan Tiaaleaiga, a 30-year-old inmate at Maryborough Correctional Centre, was discovered in a single-occupancy cell and transported to hospital by Queensland Ambulance Service before he was pronounced deceased.

It’s understood his family were able to be by his side in hospital as he passed.

His death is not being treated as suspicious but medical.

Mr Tiaaleaiga, affectionately known as “Dee” to friends and family, had played a year with the Newcastle Knights in 2011 and was also a gifted mixed martial arts fighter.

Following a series of family tragedies, the Emmaus College graduate who grew up in the Rockhampton region where his loved ones still reside, got into trouble with the law for drug, driving and escaping custody offences and was ultimately arrested in dramatic circumstances in August, 2019 and sentenced to jail.

His partner Lana Gray released a statement on behalf of the family on Friday.

A favourite photo of "Dee" Tiaaleaiga with his daughters and family.

“The family would like to thank everyone for all the love that has poured in for Dee and would appreciate some privacy at this difficult time while they grieve and make arrangements for Dee’s memorial,” she wrote.

MMA coach Nathan O’Connor wrote powerful tribute for his friend on social media in the wake of his death.

“It was never my job to judge you just to coach you, you only every brought love and respect into our clubs and with your fellow fighters, he said.

Dee Tiaaleaiga was loved by family and friends.

Dee Tiaaleaiga was a proud Samoan man.

“It was an honour to be your coach and friend and to have you as part of our family.

“Not many fighters will ever debut against professional fighter like Justin Tafa but you did and gave him a hell of a war that we will all never forget.

“You were born 200 years too late, you were built for warfare and protecting the village, and that’s the you I only ever saw.

“Sending huge love to your family and your little ones. I promise I will tell them of the good you did and love and respect you showed as a warrior and student so they know you were much more than your dark side.

Dee Tiaaleaiga with his two brothers and family.

“Sending huge love to your family and brothers, I know you kicked open the doors of Samoan Valhalla and walked straight past the warriors trying to greet you so you could give shoulder rides to the kids in heaven because that’s who you were,

“Malolo Filemu my brother until we meet again.”

Suzanne Rudd, Dianne Hancock and Kay Day also posted tributes, sending condolences to his family.