Tributes pour in following death of gay Australian footballer Stephen Laybutt
Tributes have poured in after former Australian footballer Stephen Laybutt was found dead. The 46-year-old’s body was discovered in bushland near Cabarita beach in New South Wales on Sunday, January 14.Laybutt is reported to have been visiting friends in Casuarina in the days leading up to his death, but couldn’t be located or contacted on the Saturday morning and was reported missing.
Authorities carried out “an extensive search”, before finding the man’s remains at around 7pm on Sunday evening.“The circumstances surrounding his death are not being treated as suspicious,” police confirmed.Throughout his career, Stephen Laybutt recorded 18 caps for the Australian national team, also known as the Socceroos, including at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
The defender also played professionally for several clubs including the Brisbane Strikers, Dutch giants Feyenoord, Belgium’s Gent and the Newcastle Jets.
Stephen Laybutt, rest in peace…— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) January 15, 2024He came out publicly as gay after he retired in 2008 due to an Achilles tendon injury.
