An autopsy has found that South African rugby player Hyron Andrews died from natural causes linked to his heart, according to a statement issued by his team, the Lions, on behalf of his family on Wednesday.
The statement, citing French authorities who conducted the autopsy, said Andrews died last week at the age of 31 ahead of a game in France. The cause was found to be a tear in the aorta (due to natural causes). The aorta is the main artery leading away from the heart.
"The Andrews family asks for respect, privacy and patience during this difficult time as the repatriation process begins," the statement added. It said a timeline for returning Andrews' body to South Africa has not yet been determined.
Andrews played as a lock for the Johannesburg-based Lions and was found dead at the team's hotel in France last week, ahead of a Champions Cup match against La Rochelle, a French prosecutor told The Associated Press at the time. A statement from SA rugby at the time said he "passed away tragically, following an accident" and had "died after falling" at the hotel. Andrews' jersey was placed on the field in tribute before the game, with several Lions players in tears.
The 31-year-old second-row forward had spent the previous two years playing for Sale Sharks in England before returning home this summer to join the Lions.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing