Fears for Olympic swimmer Grant Hackett after bizarre bender
GRANT Hackett is believed to be holed up in a Gold Coast hotel after another day of controversy, with the Herald Sun told his latest downward spiral began after a “tumultuous” split from his girlfriend.
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GRANT Hackett was believed to be holed up in a Gold Coast hotel last night after another day of controversy during which his parents contacted police to report him missing.
Friends and family had been searching for the 36-year-old after he failed to answer his phone and missed an appointment with his lawyer. After a public appeal to find him, the embattled swim star made contact with police to say he was “safe and sober”.
But Hackett said he did not want contact with his family.
Earlier yesterday, Hackett posted a photograph online of his bruised and battered face, claiming his brother had bashed him.
The Herald Sun has been told Hackett’s latest downward spiral began after a “tumultuous” split from girlfriend Maggie Keating just weeks ago.
Hackett’s contacting of police brought some solace to parents Neville and Margaret after a dramatic 48 hours. They were still coming to grips with the Olympian’s arrest at their home on Wednesday.
The family wouldn’t be drawn on Hackett’s Instagram post yesterday. Mr Hackett said Grant’s barrister had advised him not to comment.
Hackett posted a photo of his bruised, battered face, saying: “My brother comments to the media … but does anyone know he beat the shit out of me. Everyone knows he is an angry man.”
The injuries were reportedly sustained last month when Hackett’s brother, Craig, and mother Margaret went to his home for an “intervention”.
After Grant became angry, Craig is alleged to have retaliated, hitting his brother. Hackett went to hospital for treatment of a bruised eye and jaw fractures, friends say.
“He was in the middle of one of his benders,” a friend said. “It got heated pretty quickly. Grant told them to leave his property.
“They exchanged words and Grant apparently charged at Craig and Craig punched him. Grant was running towards him, and that’s why the impact was so bad.”
The Herald Sun understands a family member sought a court order against the Olympic gold medallist following the incident.
Craig Hackett was unavailable for comment yesterday.
On Wednesday, Craig Hackett faced media with a frustrated appeal for help for the former golden boy of Australian swimming, saying his brother needed a full and proper medical diagnosis of his mental condition.
Yesterday Neville Hackett said he had phoned police to report his son missing after being unable to contact him.
He said he got a message from Grant early yesterday: “Love you but can’t talk.”
Speaking outside his Gold Coast home last night he said: “Grant’s been found alive and sober. He’s spoken to police.”
Mr Hackett still wasn’t sure where his son was.
“He’s actually hiding because he’s very, very embarrassed about all this,” he said.
He said more people had contacted him this week to show support than when his son won Olympic gold.
Fellow Olympian Ashley Callus said he was there to support his old mate and he hoped Hackett eventually received proper treatment.
“We have been good mates for over 20 years. I’m worried about him and I just want him to get some help,” he said.
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