Foul play ruled out as Shane Warne dies aged 52
Thai police on Saturday ruled out foul play in the shock death of Australian cricket superstar Shane Warne, who died of a suspected heart attack while on holiday on the paradise island of Koh Samui aged just 52.
The "King" of spin's death sparked a global outpouring of grief from prime ministers, rock stars and fellow players, an acknowledgement that the Melbourne native transcended his sport.
Warne -- one of the greatest Test cricketers of all time -- was found unresponsive at his luxury villa at the Samujana resort on Friday evening.
He had reportedly been due to meet friends, who went in search of him when he failed to emerge from his quarters.
"Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived," a statement from his management company said. His body was brought to the Thai International Hospital Samui at around 6:00 pm local time (1100 GMT).
"No foul play was suspected at the scene based on our investigation," Thai police told AFP.
As Australia awoke to the news on Saturday, fans laid flowers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where there is a statue in Warne's honour.
Among the other offerings were a can of beer, a packet of cigarettes and a meat pie -- a nod to Warne's famously hard-charging lifestyle and unathletic diet.
So beloved was Warne in his native Melbourne that the state government said the Great Southern Stand at the MCG will be renamed the S.K. Warne Stand.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called Warne "one of our nation's greatest characters" and announced he would receive a full state funeral.
In a touching tribute, Morrison praised him as an inspiration to backyard cricketers across the country and someone who lit up each Australian summer.
"His achievements were the product of his talent, his discipline and passion for the game he loved. But Shane was more than this to Australians," Morrison said.
Current players -- who have led emotional tributes to their childhood hero -- took to the field for the second day of a Test match against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, with both sides observing a minute's silence and sporting black armbands.