Police say Olympic swimmer Grant Hackett has been found
Police say Olympic swimmer Grant Hackett has been found only hours after Hackett's father made a public appeal and declared his son a missing person.
The revelation comes merely a day after he was arrested following family concerns for his mental health.
“Very depressed and not in good condition, obviously very mentally disturbed," his father said fighting back tears when he spoke to 7 News earlier on Thursday afternoon.
“We’re extremely worried bout him. He’s definitely a missing person and needs urgent help."
In a post to Instagram on Thursday morning, Hackett responded to comments his brother Craig made to the media on Wednesday with a message saying "does anyone know he beat the s**t out of me."
Earlier Thursday a Queensland Police spokesman said Mr Hackett is not officially considered a missing person, but officers were looking into the situation.
Nev Hackett is believed to have called the police to report his son missing.
Nev had pleaded that anyone with information about the whereabouts of Grant is to urgently advise their family or local police.
“His doctor can’t find him. He hasn’t kept an appointment with his lawyer," Nev continued.
“We’re extremely worried."
Earlier on Thursday, Grant Hackett wrote on his Instagram on the post about his brother: "Everyone knows he is an angry man", accompanied by a photo of him sporting a black eye and battered face.
He does not claim the injuries occurred while he was in police custody.
Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates said in a statement that recent behaviour is not that of the Grant Hackett that they "know and respect".
"We are concerned for Grant's welfare," Mr Coates said in the statement.
"Grant is a great Olympic champion, one of the greatest swimmers of all time, and his contribution to the Olympic Movement and to sport in general should not be forgotten.
"He inspired many young Australian children to get involved in swimming. We hope he can overcome his current challenges and we have offered him any support he needs."
A statement from Swimming Australia CEO Mark Anderson said the organisation has offered to support the Hackett family any way they can.
“Our primary concern is [Grant's] health and well-being and personal welfare. Grant is a legend of Australian sport and an important part of the Australian swimming family.
“Through the Australian Swimmers Association and educational programs like ‘Beyond the Black Line’, we want to ensure that all of our swimmers throughout the course of their swimming journey are prepared and supported."
The champion swimmer's Instagram allegations about his brother came on the back of public comments made by his family concerning his mental health.
"My brother comments to the media... but does anyone know he beat the s**t out of me," he wrote.
Hackett's parents told reporters outside their Gold Coast home on Thursday they did not know where Grant was.
Hackett's father was forced to call police to their home on Wednesday, after the Olympic champion became “abusive” and “aggressive”.
The 36-year-old was taken to the Southport watchhouse in handcuffs, but later released without charge.
Family members expressed their concern for the swimmer's wellbeing after the ordeal on Wednesday.
“This is not Grant Hackett,” his brother Craig Hackett said on Wednesday.
“This is a completely different person.
“I don’t know this person, my mum and dad don’t know this person.”
Craig said the family no longer knew how to deal with his brother who had become dangerous.
"He had the world at his feet," Craig Hackett said.
"[He was] such a role model to so many kids ... and now no one knows what’s going to happen. It doesn’t look encouraging.
"It’s coming to the point now where he is dangerous. He’s a danger to himself, he’s a danger to the community, and poor Mum and Dad have tried to look after him so much. I’m concerned for their welfare."
Nev Hackett said his son was rambling on before he was forced to call police to the property.
“When I say aggressive, (it was) verbally, and (he) didn’t make any sense,” Nev said.
“It became obvious something was wrong.
“It is alcohol and I suspect, perhaps from time to time, it could be prescription drugs.”
Hackett's fall from grace
Since his retirement from professional swimming in 2008, Hackett's turbulent personal life has been the subject of much scrutiny.
In 2011, he upended a grand piano and a marble table as he trashed the luxury penthouse he shared with his then-wife Candice Alley and their two children.
The couple separated the following year following a drunken night out after the Logies, which resulted in a bitter custody battle over their children.
In 2014, Hackett's mental health again came into question when he appeared half-naked and searching for his son at the Crown Casino in Melbourne.
The 36-year-old was back in the headlines in April 2016 after he was involved in a mid-flight drunken incident.
The former 1500-metre gold medallist was filmed yelling abuse at a fellow passenger on a flight from Adelaide, where the Olympic trials were held, before grabbing the man on the chest in an incident now dubbed "nipple gate".
The flight crew had to restrain the swimming champion and called ahead to Federal Police to meet them at the gate in Melbourne.
“I seriously and genuinely regret my poor behaviour," the swimmer said at the time, admitting that he would undergo anger management counselling.
"I have stuffed up more than once and am working on these issues. It is embarrassing to hear and read the consequences of my actions."
If you or someone you know is struggling mentally contact Lifeline for support on 131114.
