One word that set off alarm bells for friends of Socceroos star Stephen Laybutt, who was found dead in bushland – as his mate reveals their last-ditch fight to save his life
EXCLUSIVE
A friend of former Socceroos star Stephen Laybutt has shared chilling details of the moments before the footballer killed himself, hoping to help others struggling with severe depression.
Laybutt was visiting friends in Casuarina, northern NSW, the day before he died and was last seen around 9pm on January 12.
The 46-year-old, who also represented Australia at the 2000 Olympics, posted a chilling one-word message on social media on the morning of January 13, raising the alarm among friends aware of his ongoing battle against the mental health.
People started reaching out for help, but the former athlete only responded to a few people and told them that he was not to be talked about.
Police were informed and an extensive search was launched in the Casuarina area before his silver Mercedes was found parked outside a shop in nearby Cabarita at around 11.30am on January 13.
Laybutt's body was found in bushland around 7pm the next day.
One of Laybutt's friends has now opened up to Daily Mail Australia about the tragedy, hoping it can convince others with similar problems to seek help.
Stephen Laybutt (pictured) was found dead in bushland in northern NSW on January 14. He was 46 years old.
Stephen Laybutt (pictured playing for the Newcastle Jets) was visiting friends in the northern NSW area when he went missing
On the morning he went missing, Laybutt wrote “adios,” the Spanish word for “goodbye,” on his Facebook page.
The friend told Daily Mail Australia he was one of many who contacted Laybutt after reading the message.
He received no response, but said the few people who did were shocked by what he had to say.
“Those reports were chilling,” he said.
The friend didn't go into details, but said the former football star essentially told select friends, “I can't do this anymore.”
He said there was a suggestion Laybutt may have previously attempted suicide.
“There was appreciation for the fact that he was struggling and some of us wonder if we could have had that extra conversation… everyone lives with that guilt,” he said.
“Personally, I think he made up his mind a long time ago.”
CCTV captured an image of Stephen Laybutt (pictured) on January 13. He was last seen wearing blue board shorts, thong and a blue shirt
The cause of Laybutt's mental health problems was unclear, but the friend said it was likely some problems started when the footballer came out as gay in 2008 and after a ruptured Achilles tendon sent him into early retirement.
Instead of feeling liberated after talking about his sexuality, he may have felt burdened by it, the friend said.
After his retirement, Laybutt said his sexuality had a “major effect” on his career.
'No one knew. It takes quite a bit of effort to hide like that, lying to yourself all the time. That breaks you, and you set yourself on a path of self-destruction,” he said.
Laybutt said he “fell out of control” after that because he thought everything would be easier if he was honest about who he was, but that didn't happen.
However, the friend said things became easier when he met his partner Michael Lutteral in 2010.
“Everyone wanted to be his friend because he was so damn good, and he looked good,” he said.
“It shows that it doesn't matter who you are.”
Stephen Laybutt, 46, played 15 games for the national team from 2000 to 2004 and represented Australia at the 2000 Olympics
The friend also highlighted the fact that Laybutt donated his kidney in December 2021 to 67-year-old Ian Pavey, who he met while working in the rehabilitation unit at St Vincent's Private Hospital.
“I mean, he donated a kidney to someone he barely knew,” he said.
'Who does that? It's a bit strange to do that, but that's just how he was.'
Laybutt had been helping patients recovering from surgery and other ailments when he met Mr Pavey, who was on the transplant list awaiting a donor for his failing kidneys.
Mr Pavey was on dialysis for three years until a text message from Laybutt changed his life.
“Hey buddy, it's Steve from St. Vincent's,” the message read.
'I want to see if I can give you a kidney. Think about it.'
The friend said he had not been able to think about Laybutt since the tragedy.
“If we can prevent this from happening… If we can save one more life, it's worth talking about.”
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