- Aussie athletes pay tribute to TikTok star Russell Manser
- Mr Manser hosted many local stars on his podcast
- Billy Dib, Braith Anasta and Josh Addo Carr posted tributes
Australian football and boxing stars have paid tribute to Russell Manser after the former bank robber who turned his life around and became a TikTok star died suddenly.
Manser had served a total of 23 years in prison in the Northern Territory, Queensland and NSW for bank robberies before he turned to TikTok to speak about his trauma as a survivor of sexual abuse.
The 56-year-old’s cause of death is yet to be made public, but it’s understood he died on Saturday hours after posting a video to social media.
He amassed more than 130,000 followers on TikTok as he ran the Voice of a Survivor charity to help others who have suffered abuse to find their purpose in life.
He also hosted The Stick Up podcast, where he spoke with guests including Australian rapper Ay Huncho, former NRL star Braith Anasta and high-profile businessman Mark Bouris.
Bank robber turned TikTok celebrity Russell Manser died suddenly on Saturday after rising to fame by helping struggling Aussies turn their lives around
NRL great Braith Anasta said he was ‘shattered to hear the sad news’ of Manser’s death after appearing on his podcast
NRL star Josh Addo Carr also posted a tribute to Mr Manser on Monday
Numerous Aussie athletes have paid tribute on social media since news of his death was made public, with many expressing their grief.
Anasta posted on social media: ‘So shattered to hear the sad news today. I didn’t know you long, but in that time I witnessed you change a lot of people’s lives. RIP legend.’
Former Aussie boxing champion Nader Hamden wrote: ‘I’m not sure WTF happened here, it’s come from nowhere. Still numb to a point coz we were in touch spoke recently, had plans. He had some big huge plans ideas positives ahead. He was excited by a lot of things. Condolences to family friends, he loved being a positive & I know he’s touched many lives in a positive way. It’s still raw and new.’
Bulldogs NRL star Josh Addo Carr simply posted: ‘RIP brother god bless him.’
Former world boxing champion Billy Dib wrote: ‘Shocked to hear that @russellmanserofficial has departed this world’.
Other big names from the combat sports world to appear on Manser’s podcast include four-weight world boxing champion Jeff Fenech, famed trainer Johnny Lewis and former world champ Danny Green.
Rugby league stars Manser interviewed include Bulldogs prop Liam Knight, ex-Souths star Joe Williams and NRL legend Ian Roberts.
Manser’s 22-year-old son Ky Manser has opened up about the shocking death, saying he ‘can’t explain the pain’ he is going through.
Former footy star Braith Anasta said Mr Manser changed a lot of lives as he posted a message on social media (pictured) in the wake of the news
Bulldogs star Josh Addo Carr was also touched by Manser’s sudden death
Boxer Billy Dib, who appeared on Manser’s podcast, couldn’t believe the news
Former Aussie boxin champion Nader Hamden was still trying to make sense of the tragedy
‘RIP dad till we meet again mate,’ he captioned a candid selfie of him with his father.
‘I’m sorry I haven’t been able to get back to anyone, I’ve been spending time with my family and trying to actually accept this with myself [at the moment].
‘I’ve just lost my best friend…and I’m trying to stay strong for my little brother.’
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