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Jay Dee troubled by marriage break-up

Update: Media reports Jay Dee Springbett been dealing with a break-up but his partner says he may have suffered a cardiac arrest.

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Former Australian Idol judge Jay Dee Springbett, who passed away yesterday at the age of 36, had been dealing with a break-up and missing his two daughters.

Police were called to his Woolloomooloo apartment after he was reported missing by workmates. He was found slumped on a sofa, with stubbies of beer and prescription drugs nearby.

NSW Police said the death was not considered suspicious.

The chief executive of Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand, Denis Handlin, said colleagues became concerned when Springbett was not answering his phone.

Springbett was still working for Sony Music but in the process of moving from full-time employment to an external label and artist management deal.

”Jay Dee was a great friend and larger-than-life charismatic character who will be missed enormously,” Handlin said in a statement.

As one of Sony’s A&R executives, he worked closely with artists including Jessica Mauboy, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Stan Walker who won the year of Idol he helped judge.

Estranged wife publicist Louisa McCole acknowledged condolences via Facebook yesterday. “Thank you to everyone for their love and support. Simply heartbroken,” she wrote.

A spokesman for FremantleMedia Australia said colleagues were upset to hear of Springbett’s death.

“The Australian Idol family is deeply saddened by the passing of Jay Dee,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with his family and all at Sony Music.”

UPDATED: But Springbett’s partner Louisa McCole denies the media reports.

She insisted Springbett would never have taken his own life, instead suggesting he may have suffered a cardiac arrest.

She is especially adamant that he had been in a happy frame of mind just before his death.

Rejecting suggestions in media reports that Springbett was emotionally and mentally distressed she said: ”He was happier than he had been for years.

Source: News Limited, smh.com.au

4 Responses

  1. According to new information today, his partner said he was the happiest he had been in years. He celebrated his birthday on Monday and had a great night with his partner, mum and kids. They discussed about leaving their careers to start fresh and were planning a holiday in July. She said that his heart gave him trouble and she believes he suffered a heart attack while putting up his new 61cm tv.
    “If I am certain of one thing, he would never have taken his own life” – Eamonn Duff

  4. That is just very sad to hear. Sincere condolences to Jay Dee’s family and children. There’s so much work to be done in the field of mental health in this country, including support for men dealing with depression and critical life events.

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