‘I’m so sorry’: Broncos player’s devastating tribute to Liam Hampson

A Brisbane Broncos player who was travelling with Liam Hampson has given a heartbreaking tribute following his tragic death.

One of the NRL players who had been travelling with Liam Hampson has given a devastating tribute following his tragic death in Barcelona.

The Queenslander had not been seen for 30 hours after disappearing while partying with a group of Aussie footy players at nightclub Sala Apolo at around 4.30am on Tuesday in the Spanish city.

His disappearance sparked desperate pleas for help and information from Gold Coast Titans player AJ Brimson and Brisbane Broncos duo Jordan Riki and Jesse Arthars, as well as his frantic sister Tiarna.

Riki later issued a tribute to Hampson, sharing three heartbreaking Instagram stories.

“I love you my brother you beautiful soul I’m so sorry,” Riki wrote.

“Can’t put into words how I’m feeling I love you bro I’m so sorry.”

Riki also thanked those who had responded to pleas for information to help the missing persons effort.

Jordan Riki paid tribute to Liam Hampson. Photo: Instagram@jordanriki

The Broncos player is devasted. Photo: Instagram@jordanriki.

“Please know I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped to find our boy words can’t express how grateful I am for you guys,” he said.

“Everyone who reached out and posted on your socials and asked for your family/friends to help thank you so much ... RIP my beautiful brother.”

He also shared a link to a GoFundMe page and said any donations would help Hampson’s family bring his body home to Australia.

“On behalf of Liam’s family and friends we would like to support his beautiful family in helping getting Liam home. Also supporting his family through this difficult time,” Riki said.

“As we all know Liam was a beautiful soul who brought people together with his love, wisdom and jokes.

“Liam was an outstanding talent on and off the football field if it was helping his teammates win a nail biting game or educating kids and many others on life and his wisdom. We love Liam and any donation would go a long way.”

Hampson, a rising rugby league player, described his life as “fantastic” in one of his last Instagram posts before the 24-year-old’s tragic death in a Barcelona nightclub.

The Redcliffe Dolphins player had been enjoying an off-season holiday around Europe with a group of friends including Brimson, Riki and Arthurs, and just a week ago, he shared a snap of himself and his mates living it up on a boat in Italy.

It was accompanied by the now-poignant caption: “My life is fantastic”.

Liam Hampson's tragic last Instagram post. Picture: Instagram/@hampo101

A day later, he also posted another photo of himself in Positano on Italy’s Amalfi coast, which was later filled with comments from Instagram users paying tribute to Hampson after news of his death was confirmed.

He had earlier posted a string of pictures from his European holiday, with the group enjoying Oktoberfest in Germany, posing in front of canals in Amsterdam and taking in the sights of Switzerland before heading to Italy and then Spain.

Liam Hampson, pictured in Positano just days before his death. Picture: Instagram/@hampo101

According to Spanish news publication El Caso, police believe Hampson may have died because of an accidental fall.

Both the Australian consulate and Hampson’s family have been contacted by Spanish authorities.

Hampson’s sister Tiarna shared a heartbreaking Instagram post on Thursday morning confirming she had received the “saddest news possible”.

“We are devastated to find out Liam had an accident and did not survive,” Tiarna wrote.

“We are so heartbroken. Liam was the best brother I ever could of asked for and made me a better person.

Liam Hampson (middle) with his mum Jamie Hampson (left), and dad Brett Hampson (right) after a game

“We cannot express our grief.

“We cannot thank the boys he was travelling with enough for assisting with his search and made sure his last days were the best of his life. Going to miss you so much, Liam.”

Hampson attended Keebra Park State High School on the Gold Coast with Brimson and they both played their junior rugby league together at the Tweed Seagulls.

Originally published as ‘I’m so sorry’: Broncos player’s devastating tribute to Liam Hampson