Fairfax Media columnist and author Sam de Brito found dead in North Bondi home
de Brito
Fairfax columnist Sam de Brito has been found dead in his Sydney eastern suburbs home this morning.
According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, the 46-year-old author and father of one was found dead in his North Bondi home this morning.
A statement from de Brito’s family said: “The family and friends of the writer and journalist Sam de Brito have been devastated by his sudden death this morning.
“Sam, 46, has revelled in parenthood and was a wonderful and devoted father to his young daughter, Anoushka.
“He will also be remembered as a loving son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend, as well as a distinguished columnist and author.
“His family asks for privacy at this time as they grieve for the loss of Sam and await the results of a coroner’s report.”
De Brito had worked with Fairfax Media as a columnist since November 2006.
He was also the author of five books including No Tattoos Before You’re Thirty, The Lost Boys and Hello Darkness. He also edited website Australian Robotics Review since June this year.
His last column for Fairfax was published in The Sun-Herald and The Sunday Age on Sunday.
In 2011 de Brito spoke to Mumbrella’s Tim Burrowes about his book Hello Darkness where he admitted “I probably wouldn’t be here if I didn’t write”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Y8DEvrVz4
Miranda Ward worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2017, eventually becoming deputy editor. Miranda joined Mumbrella in September 2013 from Sky News.
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Oh this is horribly sad. Love to his family.
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Stunned to read this. It feels personal such was his all-inclusive writing style. Thoughts to colleagues at Fairfax.
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That’s absolutely terrible news. Top notch journo, Dad, writer and bloke. People of such calibre can never be easily replaced. We shall miss you, Sam! Safe journey home…
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It is very very sad and tragic news. And in retrospect, what an insightful interview Tim. Shared a desk with him at the Telegraph many moons ago and he was never a fence sitter but a very passionate and committed journalist. He truly did wear his heart on his sleeve. May Sam rest in peace . . .
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This is so sad. He lit up my Sundays with his weekly column in the Sunday magazine. He called it as he saw it. No bullshit. Total frankness but with everyday philosophy that we can all comprehend and live by. A true Aussie. I am going to miss your writings forever. Love and peace to your daughter Anoushka and your family. Forever remembered.
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He always struck me as very… truthful and introspective in his writing. And I enjoyed it for that, if I didn’t always agree with him.
Hope his family are coping.
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Not great seeing an “avoid death by PowerPoint” banner on this story …
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RIP. A wonderful insightful journalist. Our deepest condolences to the family
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Thanks for flagging that up, Shamma.
I suspect Sam would have been amused, but we’ve paused that ad for the next 24 hours just in case.
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
You could tell from the tone of his columns that he was a really good guy. I am so sad for his family. He will be remembered fondly and missed by so many people.
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An insightful, engaging writer – his story on the joys of co-sleeping with his child gripped my heart, and now makes me feel so very sad.
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As a fellow writer, I’ve always aspired to be a female Sam de Brito.
I admired him not only for his exceptional writing talents (both fiction and non-fiction), but for his fearless honesty no matter how dark and unpalatable it might have been for some readers.
I’ve read pretty much everything he’s written in the past 10 years, starting with his blog, All Men Are Liars. I’ve met him twice. I was connected to him by about five different friends. I was looking forward to following his work forever.
His passing is tremendously sad for his family (especially his 5yr-old daughter), countless friends and thousands of readers who loved him. A great loss indeed.
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Vale Sam de Brito. Deepest sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues. A great writer whose unique style and insight has been a pleasure to read.
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Shattered to hear about Sam’s passing, he worked in our small close knit News & Sport team at ninemsn a long time ago and was a refreshing person, genuine and feisty, fun, honest and had a gentle heart. I was so happy that his writing career took off, he gave a lot to readers. He was devoted to his daughter, in a way that so many fathers can relate to but rarely talk about. Rest in peace young friend Sam.
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One of my very favourite Australian journalists. An extremely talented and insightful man. RIP and thoughts to his family and friends.
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“Police are not treating his death as suspicious or a suicide.”
Well what the hell happened then? A 46 year old healthy and dare I say it exceptional male suddenly dies. My lord, sincere condolences to everybody.
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Sadly, good art comes from pain.
Thank you for all the excellent writing, Sam. Left a better legacy than most of us.
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So very sad to hear of Sam’s death. I worked for many Years with his father Gus de Brito and was always so fond of him and saw the same clarity of thought and honesty in Sam’s writing although I never met him. We shall all very much miss his writing but the pain I feel in my heart must be for his daughter and his family. Life is indeed a bitch !!!
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@Love you buddy
It means that there were no deliberate actions from himself or others that contributed to his death. That could therefore mean a health episode or an accident.
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I am so very sorry to hear this. I have really enjoyed Sam’s truthful and inspired writing. I send my condolences to his family.
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Vale Sam de Brito. I loved reading your column every weekend. A man with a heart.
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