Dustin Martin’s father, Shane, died alone at home from a heart attack

A coroner’s findings have revealed how Dustin Martin’s father, Shane, spent his finals hours before his untimely death.

Shane Martin, the father of AFL superstar Dusty Martin, died face down and alone at his home after suffering a heart attack, a coroner’s findings have revealed.

The 54-year-old was found dead at his Mt Maunganui home in New Zealand on December 17, 2021 after he died of cardiovascular disease with drugs and steroids in his system.

Subsequent post-mortem tests found Mr Martin had a 600g enlarged heart, about double the size of an average man’s heart.

Dustin Martin with his father, Shane Martin, in New Zealand.

On the morning of his death, Mr Martin had complained to a friend of a headache.

Later that day another friend took him shopping before they returned to his home about noon. It was the last time he would be seen alive.

When an associate, Scott Williams, arrived at the house about 1.30pm, he found Mr Martin lying face down on the bedroom floor.

Mr Williams called emergency services and performed CPR until they arrived.

The ambulance crew arrived a short time later and took over resuscitation efforts, but despite continuing them for 40 minutes Mr Martin could not be revived.

Shane Martin had drugs and steroids in his system at the time of his death. Picture: Simon Runting

A toxicology report confirmed he was on steroids at the time of his death, with Mr Williams telling police he believed Mr Martin was a user.

“There was evidence in the urine for the use of the steroids trenbolone and nandrolone,” the coroner’s findings read.

“Trenbolone is used on livestock to promote muscle growth and appetite. Nandrolone are anabolic steroids.”

An earlier toxicology report found that Mr Martin was also on anti-depression and pain relief medication after amitriptyline and azathioprine were found at the scene on the kitchen counter.

“Toxicology results … confirmed amitriptyline in Mr Martin’s blood. Amitriptyline is used to treat depression and pain.

“Nortriptyline, an active metabolite of amitriptyline, as well as a prescription drug in its own right, was also confirmed in the blood.

“The approximate level of amitriptyline appeared to be consistent with normal use.”

Mr Martin suffered from Crohn’s disease and also experienced anxiety.

Police were satisfied there were no suspicious or untoward circumstances involved in Mr Martin’s death and the coroner chose not to open an inquiry into it.

Mr Martin died of a heart attack alone and face down at his home. Picture: Alex Coppel

It was revealed in May by the New Zealand Herald that Mr Martin was facing violent criminal charges at the time of his death after he allegedly attacked a woman.

Police alleged he punched a woman – with whom he had been in an “intermittent relationship” – in the face, threw her around the bedroom, grabbed her by the neck and squeezed.

He had pleaded not guilty to charges of male assaults female, strangulation, burglary and illegal possession of steroids.

Shane Martin was facing criminal charges at the time of his death. Picture: Simon Runting

Dr Jarrod Gilbert, who co-wrote Mr Martin’s biography “A Rebel in Exile”, called him a “warm, friendly and generous” man.

“People who met Shane for the first time were immediately disarmed by him,” Dr Gilbert wrote in the New Zealand Hearld last December.

“They liked him and were drawn to him. He was warm, friendly and generous.

“He kept a drawer full of lollies for kids who visited his house.

“He also carried the burden of great bitterness; a bitterness that ate away at him.”

Mr Martin was deported to New Zealand in 2016 on “good character” grounds, separating him from his son Dustin in the final stages of his life.

This was despite the senior Rebels bikie member having lived in Sydney for the majority of his adult life.

During his father’s time abroad, Dustin blossomed into arguably the best player in the AFL as part of Richmond’s premiership dynasty.

He won three flags with the Tigers in 2017, 2019 and 2020 and won the North Smith Medal as the best player on the ground in all of those games.

He also received the league’s highest honour, the Brownlow Medal, in 2017.

Dustin Martin just after his name was called out at the 2009 AFL Draft, with dad Shane and his mum, Kathy Knight. Picture: Michael Dodge

Dustin often spoke of his love for his father while he was alive and expressed hope that he would be allowed back into Australia one day.

“It‘s been a massive challenge, but it is what it is,” Dustin told Fox Footy in March 2021.

“I love my dad and he‘s made me the man I am today.

“I‘ve got full belief he’ll (be) back here to watch us win another flag.

“That‘s my dream to be able to have the old man up there with the rest of my family and watch the Tiges win another flag.”

Dustin Martin celebrates with his third Norm Smith and premiership medals after the 2020 AFL grand final. Picture: Michael Wilson /AFL Photos via Getty Images

Dustin took an indefinite leave from the game earlier this year in March to deal with the death of his father.

He returned to the club in late April but is sidelined with a hamstring injury as Richmond continues its finals push.

He has been continually linked with a move to Sydney throughout the season, with coach Damian Hardwick earlier saying Dustin has his “blessing” if he does seek a trade.

Mr Martin’s body was buried at a cemetery outside Melbourne earlier this year.

Originally published as Dustin Martin’s father, Shane, died alone at home from a heart attack