Simon Dunn, a former bobsledder and rugby player who became the first openly gay athlete to represent Australia in bobsled, was found dead in his Sydney apartment on Saturday, January 21, 2023. He was 35 years old. His death has shocked and saddened the Australian sporting and arts communities, as well as his fans and supporters around the world. But what was Simon Dunn’s cause of death? Here is what we know so far.
No Signs of Foul Play
According to NSW Police, Dunn’s body was discovered in his Surry Hills unit around 10 am on Saturday, after they received a report of a man’s body found inside. The police said that the circumstances surrounding his death were not being treated as suspicious, implying that there were no signs of foul play or violence involved.
Dunn’s agents, Ruby Rose Management, confirmed his death in a statement, saying that they were “deeply saddened” by the news and that they would “miss him terribly”. They also asked for privacy for Dunn’s family and friends during this difficult time.
Possible Suicide?
While the official cause of death has not been released yet, some of Dunn’s fans and media outlets have speculated that he may have taken his own life. This is based on some of his social media posts that revealed his personal struggles and challenges in the past year.
In December 2022, Dunn posted a photo of himself on Instagram with a caption that read: “This year has been one of the toughest of my life. I lost my mentor, my dream of competing at Beijing 2022 was taken away from me due to injury and I’ve battled some pretty low places.” He also admitted that he felt like a “failure” and that he did not seek professional help when he needed it.
He also shared that he had split up with his partner of five years, Felix Maisey-Curtis, after a “rough year of personal loss”. The couple had made headlines in 2018 when they kissed on a rugby field in a defiant gesture against homophobia in sports.
Dunn ended his post by thanking his supporters and urging anyone who was struggling to reach out for help. He wrote: “The support that has carried me the past 12 months is something I’ll forever be grateful for. Without it, there’s no words for where I could be right now. We all need support, there’s no shame in asking for it!”
However, Dunn’s last Instagram post, which he shared two days before his death, did not show any signs of distress or depression. He posted a shirtless black-and-white photo of himself with a smile on his face and a caption that read: “I think it’s time for another photoshoot?! #tbt”
A Trailblazer and an Advocate
Simon Dunn was born in Sydney in 1987 and grew up playing rugby. He came out as gay when he was 18 and joined the Sydney Convicts, an all-gay rugby team. He later moved to Canada to pursue his dream of becoming a bobsledder and represented Australia in the sport. He became the first openly gay man to do so and was shortlisted for the Australian LGBTI Awards Sports Personality of the Year award in 2018 and 2019.
Dunn was also a vocal advocate for the inclusion and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people in sports. He spoke out against homophobia and discrimination and supported various causes and campaigns. He also worked as a model, a DJ, and a drag performer under the name Kitty Glitter.
Dunn’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes and condolences from his friends, colleagues, fans, and fellow LGBTQ+ activists. They praised him for his courage, talent, kindness, and generosity. They also expressed their grief and disbelief over his untimely passing.
Simon Dunn’s cause of death remains unknown at this point, but one thing is certain: he left behind a legacy of inspiration and hope for many people who admired him. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace, Simon Dunn.