How did Shane Warne die? Cricket legend’s cause of death revealed

Three of Shane Warne’s mates battled for 20 minutes to save his life after the cricket legend died on a holiday from a suspected heart attack.

Police have revealed how a group of friends Shane Warne was holidaying with in Thailand tried in vain to save his life.

Warne, 52, was found unresponsive in a villa on Koh Samui on Friday afternoon when one friend reportedly tried to wake him to no avail.

The group then desperately attempted CPR before an ambulance arrived and took the cricket legend to the Thai International Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death is a suspected heart attack.

The Daily Telegraph reports Warne’s manager Andrew Neophitou performed CPR before the ambulance arrived.

Shane Warne has died aged 52 of a suspected heart attack in Thailand. Picture: Instagram

Chatchawin Nakmusik of the Bo Put police told Reuters that Warne’s body had been transferred to another hospital for autopsy and his friends would be questioned by police on Saturday — but added there were no signs of foul play.

“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” a statement from his management read.

“The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.”

It came just days after Warne had declared he was aiming to return to peak fitness again.

“Operation shred has started (10 days in) and the goal by July is to get back to this shape from a few years ago! Let’s go,” he captioned a topless photograph of himself.

Shane Warne loved travelling with family and mates. Picture: Instagram

After news of the death broke around the world, former England coach and player David Lloyd said Warne “lived life to the full”.

“Shane was generous to a fault. He lived life to the full, he was Peter Pan, but when it came to cricket, he was serious,” Lloyd said.

Warne’s former teammate Ian Healy told Today he was not surprised of Warne’s death at a young age.

“An early passing didn’t surprise me for Warnie,” Healy said. “He didn’t look after his body that well. He yo-yoed up and down.

“He didn’t put much sunscreen on. I thought it would have become skin issues for him over time, but not at 52. And he would have been full of beans right to the end, I bet.”

Shane Warne has died aged 52 of a suspected heart attack in Thailand. Picture: Instagram

Warne with late INXS singer Michael Hutchence.

Warne’s death came just hours after the passing of fellow Aussie cricket legend Rod Marsh, which the Spin King had acknowledged in his final tweet.

“Sad to hear the news that Rod Marsh has passed. He was a legend of our great game & an inspiration to so many young boys & girls,” Warne wrote.

“Rod cared deeply about cricket & gave so much-especially to Australia & England players. Sending lots & lots of love to Ros & the family. RIP mate.”

Warne in full flight. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)

Statement from Australian Test captain Pat Cummins

“On behalf of the entire playing group and support staff here in Pakistan, I want to express our shock and sadness over Shane’s sudden passing. We are all numbed by the news.

“Shane was a once-in-a-century cricketer and his achievements will stand for all time, but apart from the wickets he took and the games he helped Australia win, what he did was draw so many people to the sport.

“So many of us in the playing group grew up idolising him and fell in love with this great sport as a result, while many of our support staff either played with him or against him.

“It has been a terrible couple of days for Australian cricket with the passing of Rod Marsh and now Shane. Our thoughts are with both families and, in Shane’s case, particularly with his parents Keith and Bridgette, his brother Jason and his children Jackson, Summer and Brooke.

“The game of cricket was never the same after Shane emerged, and it will never be the same now he has gone. Rest in peace King.”