Manly CEO Tony Mestrov reveals death threats aimed at him, his wife, daughter and family dog

Manly CEO Tony Mestrov has revealed he received death threats targeting him, his wife, daughter and even their family dog. Worse still, the perpetrator knew where they lived.

Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov has revealed he was the victim of a death threat that also targeted his wife, daughter and their family dog.

The chilling message came under a pseudonym via social media early last year when Mestrov was chief executive of Greyhound Racing NSW.

Making the risk even more menacing was that the perpetrator knew where Mestrov and his family lived.

Mestrov was forced to beef-up security at his northern beaches home, installing cameras and arranging for a security guard to regularly monitor his house.

The former first-grade rugby league player with Manly and South Sydney, Mestrov left Greyhound Racing NSW soon after to become Sea Eagles CEO.

The stunning revelation comes nine months after this masthead published vile details of a death threat to Panthers group CEO Brian Fletcher.

Manly Sea Eagles CEO Tony Mestrov has revealed death threats made against his him and his family. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Mestrov immediately alerted police who tracked down the woman. She wasn’t arrested, but issued a stern warning that any repeat threats would lead to charges.

“There is nothing worse in life than to receive a death threat aimed at you and your family,” Mestrov said. “You feel helpless.

“It was on Facebook and she threatened my life, my wife’s life, daughter and dog and knew where we lived. We’re all for freedom of speech but not threatening people’s lives, particularly when your family is involved.

“It was extremely unsettling. It’s terrible when business creeps into your personal life. Your family is number one so to step over that line rocked me. It’s not a nice thing to happen.

Mestrov (right) with Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“There is a lot of anti-greyhound on social media and it’s quite fierce and aggressive.

“There are a lot of people who support the industry but also a lot of people are against the industry. The death threat came from an anti-greyhound activist.

“My wife, daughter and my golden retriever – can you believe it – were threatened. She put my address on social media.

“She was a keyboard warrior who altered her name but police ultimately found out her identity and address.

“The police sent her a letter and she was also spoken to and it didn’t happen again. She was told if there was any further threats then she would be charged. It ceased immediately. It was pretty rigorous.”

Mestrov said his family was “content” to stay in the family home.

“We handled it as best you can in those difficult situations,” he said. “We put up a brave face for a while. We just had to deal with it.”

Mestrov also felt compelled to hire additional security at home.

Mestrov with NRL identities Ryan Papenyhuzen, Nathan Hindmarsh and Bryan Fletcher during his time as Greyhound Racing NSW CEO. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“I got security cameras put in at home and we had a guard come around intermittently,” he said. “All you can do is protect the family as best you can. We were on social media making sure there wasn’t a repeat.

“The (greyhound) board was extremely supportive of any protection I needed.

“It’s the nature of the game I guess and the personal sacrifices you make to better that industry. When I look back, I am proud that I gave those people and the participants a future.”

In March, Fletcher spoke of a death threat where a deranged man sent razor blades, used condoms and white powder in an envelope. NSW Police found the perpetrator but he had committed suicide.

Originally published as Manly CEO Tony Mestrov reveals death threats aimed at him, his wife, daughter and family dog