Rising Queensland Rugby League player Liam Hampson has been found dead after his friends reported he was missing from a nightclub in Barcelona.
ABC News reported that the 24-year-old, who plays for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup, was last seen Tuesday night (October 18) at the Sala Appolo nightclub around 4:30 am.
At the time, Hampson was vacationing with Gold Coast Titans player AJ Brimson and Broncos stars Jordan Riki and Jesse Arthars in Barcelona.
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They were the ones who reported him missing to local police.
But after being missing for almost two days, authorities notified his family that the young man was found dead at the venue he was last seen in.
Barcelona Police confirmed to 7News: "This morning, nightclub staff where Liam was seen for the last time, found a body on the floor in an area of the night club, Sala Apolo.”
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His death was deemed an accident; however, more information is still to come.
Following the tragic news, Hampson’s father Brett shared on Facebook: "Waking up to the news no one wants to hear, we are devastated to find out that Liam had an accident and sadly has not survived.
"We are heartbroken to say the least. Liam had a heart of gold and was a much loved son, brother, grandson, uncle and friend. Words can not express our grief.
"We can not thank his mates enough for being there with Liam having the time of his life and assisting in the search for our boy. Our thought are with them.
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"We are asking the media to respect our privacy as we work through this time.”
His sister, Tiarna Hampson, also shared a tribute to Instagram, describing Hampson ‘as the best brother’ one could ask for.
She wrote: “We cannot express our grief. Any media outlets, if you could please respect our privacy during the time.
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"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.”
Hampson’s death comes just hours after his friends raised alarm bells on social media, explaining that it was ‘out of character’ for him to go missing.
Brimson took to social media to urge people to get in contact if they knew anything about his whereabouts, as per Sky News.
Riki also posted to Instagram yesterday (Wednesday, October 19), saying: “Please help or share this is very scary for all of us he’s our best mate we want to find him.”
Charisa Bossinakis