Fairfax columnist Sam de Brito found dead in North Bondi home
Popular columnist and author Sam de Brito has been found dead in a North Bondi home on Monday morning.
Police are not treating his death as suspicious or a suicide, according to Fairfax.
"The family and friends of the writer and journalist Sam de Brito have been devastated by his sudden death this morning," his family said in a statement.
"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."
Such sad news about Sam de Brito. A beautiful writer. Didn't agree with everything, but loved the way he wrote it. https://t.co/G0kwUqxecC
— Kate Jones (@Kate_Jones7) October 12, 2015
I am devastated by the loss of my friend and mentor Sam de Brito. He was a wonderful father, a brilliant mind, & will be greatly missed
— Samantha Brett (@samanthabrett) October 12, 2015
Very saddened to hear @SamdeBrito passing this morning,thoughts with his loved ones, way too young
— Jim Wilson (@Jim_Wilson7) October 12, 2015
Devastating.Good fella, great writer. Thoughts with his loved ones. https://t.co/cyVhncgABA
— Max Uechtritz (@plesbilongmi) October 12, 2015
The 46-year-old father-of-one, one of the Sydney Morning Herald's most respected columnists, worked as a writer for more than 20 years.
He penned five books, including No Tattoos Before You're Thirty, Hello Darkness and The Lost Boys and started his column All Men Are Liars in 2006. His last column was published just yesterday.
In 2007, de Brito told Cream magazine that he was attracted to dark characters and dysfunctional scenes.
“That’s what I enjoy reading, and it’s what I enjoy writing," he said.
"Maybe it’s because I’ve had my fair share of dysfunction in my life ... Really, I just write about whatever is consuming me or concerning me.”
After the birth of his child, life changed for de Brito.
“I’m a single father now; I’ve got a little girl; and the last thing on my mind are f***in’ drugs.
“I go and probably drink too much at times, but I find it counterproductive to my creativity.”
He wrote, directed and starred in the 1998 comedy film Revenge, Inc. His other writing credits include episodes for TV shows Water Rats and Stingers.
Morning news break – October 12