Payne Haas’s brother Zeda critical, another man dead in drug overdose

The brother of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas has made a miraculous recovery after being left in a critical condition following a drug overdose that claimed another man’s life.

Payne Haas’s younger brother Zeda Haas (Facebook image)

• Payne Haas: Footy, family and my life as a Bronco

Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas faces more off-field turmoil, after his younger brother was taken to hospital in a critical on Sunday in a suspected drug overdose that also claimed the life of another young man on the Gold Coast.

Zeda Haas, 19, was one of three men rushed to hospital after paramedics were called to separate addresses at Gaven and Arundel early Sunday morning after what sources said was a suspected overdose on the powerful drug GHB, or fantasy.

Haas was found unconscious at the Gaven residence – owned by parents Gregor Haas and Uiatu “Joan” Taufua – and taken by ambulance to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.

Victim Jeremiah Lolohea (Facebook image)

Paramedics were then called to a home at Arundel where they found two other 19-year-old men.

Both were taken to Gold Coast University Hospital where one of them, Jeremiah Lolohea, died shortly after.

In an emotional Facebook tribute, a relative – believed to be Mr Lolohea’s sister – sadly announced his “sudden and untimely passing”.

“We are completely devastated and are trying to navigate our way through this news,” she wrote.

“We ask that you all please be patient, as we confirm funeral details which will be posted once finalised.

“Jeremiah Lolohea – We love you so much, to the heavens and back. Please watch over us and guide us through this extremely difficult time.”

The Gaven home where Zeda Haas was found unconscious.

On Monday morning it was confirmed Haas and another 19-year-old had made a miraculous recovery and were on Sunday afternoon released from hospital.

Gold Coast police superintendent Rhys Wildman said detectives were awaiting toxicology reports as investigations continued, and a report would be prepared for the Coroner.

Supt Wildman said police were treating the incident as a possible group overdose.

“We believe they were at the one location before one of the males has left and went to a second location,” he told ABC Gold Coast.

“Obviously this is a tragic outcome for the family (of Mr Lolohea) and obviously there’s other families involved with the other two males.”

Supt Wildman said it was not yet known what substance the three men may have taken but people “roll the dice” when they took illicit drugs.

He said it could take months for toxicology information to confirm exactly what the substance was.

Supt Wildman said police were investigating the circumstances of what happened earlier in the night between the men.

“That includes the supply of whatever (drug) may have been used,” he said.

“Certainly we will be making every endeavour to identify the supplier of the particular substance that was used in this instance.

“I don’t want to start speculating on what may or may not occur, police will obviously take action based on the facts.

“At this stage it’s very early on in the investigation and we are working with the families involved to try to understand the full circumstances.

“Once we get all the information then a determination will be made around any particular charges.”

He said there were no other similar incidents over the weekend.

Zeda Haas (Facebook image)

Zeda Haas (Facebook image)

A large group of people gathered at the Arundel home on Sunday morning and were seen hugging and crying. A woman at the house declined to comment.

Police said Zeda Haas and the other man who were taken to hospital were known to Mr Lolohea.

They said initial information indicated that the death was non-suspicious but investigations were continuing.

It is not suggested that any other Haas family member was involved in the incident.

Supt Wildman said investigating officers would make decisions in relation to whether the men would be charged, cautioned or if no action was taken.

He said police would await the toxicology results before confirming the drug.

“Again, highlighting that we have not seen any similar reports in recent times on the Gold Coast of overdoses of this type or nature,” Supt Wildman said.

An Arundel home where the other two men were found

“It may be either the drug itself or the dosage of the drug that was utilised by the individuals involved that may have resulted in this particular incident unfolding.

“We’re working closely with our emergency service partners to highlight if there are any further reports of similar incidents.”

Supt Wildman said police wanted to highlight the dangers of taking drugs.

“These drugs are not made in a factory, they don’t have specific legislation and policy wrapped around them to make sure there is quality control,” he said.

“You are literally making a roll of a dice decision around some of these drugs.”

“Especially, it’s not like going into a chemist where you know exactly what you’re getting in a script. This is someone on a street corner selling these types of materials and you just don’t know where they’re made and what’s in them.”

The Gaven home is one of five Queensland properties listed as being owned by Gregor Haas and Uiatu “Joan” Taufua.

Payne Haas (left) at Broncos training at Red Hill on Sunday morning. Picture: Lachie Millard

A neighbour of the Gaven property said he had not heard anything overnight.

Ms Taufua is in jail on remand after being charged with manslaughter, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, drink-driving, evade police and unlicensed driving over a horrific triple fatality at Bonogin in the Gold Coast hinterland last December which wiped out almost an entire family.

She had been on parole at the time of the crash over a wild attack on two security guards at the Gold Coast’s Star casino, and was returned to prison.

“The neighbours are real quiet,” he said.

Payne Haas took part in the Broncos’ training on Sunday at Red Hill days out from the Round 12 NRL clash with the Penrith Panthers at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

The club declined to comment and Gregor Haas could not be contacted.

In an exclusive interview with The Courier-Mail last month, Mr Haas told of his family’s heartache over the jailing of his wife, who he visits weekly in the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre near Gatton where she is on remand.

Originally published as Payne Haas’s brother Zeda critical, another man dead in drug overdose