The heartbroken brother of Pua Magasiva has opened up about the New Zealand actor’s sudden death and the harrowing moment he had to break the news to their parents.
The former Shortland Street and Power Rangers star, 38, was found dead at a Wellington house in the early hours of May 11.
His older brother, fellow actor and recent Logie nominee Robbie Magasiva, learned about his younger brother’s unexpected death from Pua’s twin Tanu.
He said he’d never forget the heartbreaking call he then had to make to their father Ropati, 70, and mother, Salafa, 68.
Actor Robbie Magasiva (pictured) has opened up about the shock death of brother Pua
Pua Magasiva (right), pictured with wife Lizz Sadler, died in a Wellington home on May 11
‘That wasn’t a good phone call. When Dad answered, he was all chipper, and then I had to tell him and he started wailing,’ the Wentworth star told Woman’s Day.
‘I’d never heard that before. In the background, I could hear Mum yelling, ‘What’s wrong, what’s wrong?’ And he had to tell her.’
Robbie, who was a nominee for most outstanding actor at last week’s Logie awards, told the magazine the whole family was still grieving almost two months on.
‘To be honest, life will never be the same for us,’ he said.
There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Pua’s death.
Robbie Magasiva posted this photo of brother Pua and a heartfelt Instagram post a week after the actor’s sudden death in May
Magasiva said he wished he’d seen the warning signs earlier and had done more to help Pua.
He urged people to check on friends battling mental health issues.
‘When I was in Melbourne, I had reached out and said I was worried about him. I could foresee the fall. I’d suggested a counsellor, but he didn’t want to hear it,’ Robbie said.
‘I guess if any good comes out of Pua’s death, I urge you to surround yourselves with people you trust and check on your mates.’
Pua was best known for playing Red Wind Ranger Shane Clarke in Power Rangers Ninja Storm and nurse Vinnie Kruse in New Zealand soap Shortland Street.
Most recently, he was a co-host on New Zealand radio station Flava.
Wentworth star Robbie Magasiva recently had this tattoo done in tribute to his late brother
The Samoa-born actor was raised in Wellington and had just celebrated his first wedding anniversary with his second wife Lizz Sadler.
The couple married in April 2018, 18 months after meeting on Instagram.
Mr Magasiva left behind an eight-year-old daughter from his first marriage.
His brother shared a heartbreaking Instagram post hours before the family held a private ceremony to farewell Pua on May 17.
‘My heart is broken,’ Robbie wrote alongside an image of Pua smiling brightly.
‘I miss you so much Pua we all do. Rest now. I love you Pua.’
Pua Magasiva (left)_ had just celebrated his first wedding anniversary with wife Lizz (right). Both have children from previous relationships
Friends and fans were shocked by Pua’s sudden death with a flood of online tributes remembering the much-loved actor.
Sally Martin, who starred in Shortland Street alongside Mr Magasiva, paid a touching tribute to the star in the form of a lengthy poem, where she spoke of how much she loved and missed the actor.
‘I hate your demons. But I love your guts. And man, I’mma miss you,’ the concluding line of her poem read.
One of Pua Magasiva’s biggest roles was playing nurse Vinnie on soap Shortland Street
Co-star Shane Cortese shared a touching post online: ‘My heart goes out to the Magasiva family and the extended television alumni who had the honour of seeing the glint in his eye and the sound of his hearty laugh close hand.’
The official Twitter account of Shortland Street also paid tribute to the star.
‘We are all absolutely devastated at the tragic news regarding Pua Magasiva,’ the post read.
‘[Pua] was a much loved member of the South Pacific Pictures’ family for many years and our hearts and thoughts go out to his family at this time.’
For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14.
‘Thinking of you lots today. F*** I miss you,’ Robbie recently captioned this photo of his late brother and fellow actor Pua on Instagram