A tearful Jackson Warne drove his mother and two sisters home from Essendon Airport in Melbourne on Thursday night after his father Shane’s body’s was flown in from Thailand.

The legendary cricketer, 52, died of a suspected heart attack on the Thai holiday island of Koh Samui last Friday.

His return to Australia was delayed for almost a week so local authorities could complete their investigation, before eventually ruling he died of ‘natural causes’.

Jackson, 23, symbolically stepped up as the head of his family by taking the wheel of his dad’s Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon as his grieving family members piled into the passenger seats, just moments after they had all gathered on the tarmac for Shane’s emotional homecoming.

The Warnes, including Shane’s ex-wife Simone Callahan and his daughters Brooke, 24, and Summer, 20, were present to witness the leg spinner’s coffin being carried off a private jet at about about 8.30pm.

It had been draped in the Australian flag when it left Bangkok airport earlier that day.

A tearful Jackson Warne drove his mother and two sisters home from Essendon Airport in Melbourne on Thursday night after his father Shane's body's was flown in from Thailand

A tearful Jackson Warne drove his mother and two sisters home from Essendon Airport in Melbourne on Thursday night after his father Shane’s body’s was flown in from Thailand

Jackson considered his father his hero, and said earlier this week nothing will ever fill the void he left behind.

‘Sitting at the poker table, walking around the golf course, watching the Saints and eating pizza is never going to be the same,’ the SAS Australia said in a tribute.

‘But I know all you ever wanted for me is to be happy, no matter what. You just wanted me to be happy, that’s it.

‘So that’s what I’m going to do, try and be happy. I am going to miss you so much Dad and you were truly the best father and mate anyone could’ve asked for.’

Meanwhile, there are fears Covid may have played a part in Shane’s death, after he contracted the virus twice just months apart. 

His family reported he had been having heart troubles in the weeks leading up to his death on March 4, while it has also been noted he suffered from asthma and was also a heavy smoker.

Shane first contracted Covid in August last year while in England coaching the London Spirit and was placed on a ventilator to ensure he didn’t suffer any lingering effects of the virus.

Jackson, 23, symbolically stepped up as the head of his family by taking the wheel of his dad's Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon as his grieving family members piled into the passenger seats, just moments after they had all gathered on the tarmac for Shane's emotional homecoming

Jackson, 23, symbolically stepped up as the head of his family by taking the wheel of his dad's Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon as his grieving family members piled into the passenger seats, just moments after they had all gathered on the tarmac for Shane's emotional homecoming

Jackson, 23, symbolically stepped up as the head of his family by taking the wheel of his dad’s Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon as his grieving family members piled into the passenger seats, just moments after they had all gathered on the tarmac for Shane’s emotional homecoming

Jackson's mother Simone could be seen in the back of the car, while one of his sisters was in the front passenger seat

Jackson's mother Simone could be seen in the back of the car, while one of his sisters was in the front passenger seat

Jackson’s mother Simone could be seen in the back of the car, while one of his sisters was in the front passenger seat

The legendary cricketer, 52, died of a suspected heart attack on the Thai holiday island of Koh Samui last Friday. His return to Australia was delayed for almost a week so local authorities could complete their investigation, before eventually ruling he died of 'natural causes'

The legendary cricketer, 52, died of a suspected heart attack on the Thai holiday island of Koh Samui last Friday. His return to Australia was delayed for almost a week so local authorities could complete their investigation, before eventually ruling he died of 'natural causes'

The legendary cricketer, 52, died of a suspected heart attack on the Thai holiday island of Koh Samui last Friday. His return to Australia was delayed for almost a week so local authorities could complete their investigation, before eventually ruling he died of ‘natural causes’

The Warnes, including Shane's ex-wife Simone Callahan (pictured), were present to witness the leg spinner's coffin - which had been draped in the Australian flag when it left Bangkok airport earlier that day - being carried off a private jet at about about 8.30pm

The Warnes, including Shane's ex-wife Simone Callahan (pictured), were present to witness the leg spinner's coffin - which had been draped in the Australian flag when it left Bangkok airport earlier that day - being carried off a private jet at about about 8.30pm

The Warnes, including Shane’s ex-wife Simone Callahan (pictured), were present to witness the leg spinner’s coffin – which had been draped in the Australian flag when it left Bangkok airport earlier that day – being carried off a private jet at about about 8.30pm

Jackson had earlier been pictured arriving at Essendon Airport wearing a hoodie, black pants and white sneakers

Jackson had earlier been pictured arriving at Essendon Airport wearing a hoodie, black pants and white sneakers

Jackson had earlier been pictured arriving at Essendon Airport wearing a hoodie, black pants and white sneakers

His family, including his three children and their mother Simone – gathered at Melbourne’s Essendon Airport on Thursday night as the body of the sporting icon returned home on a private jet, six days after his sudden death in Thailand.

A private memorial is expected to be held on March 20.

A state funeral will be held on March 30 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with as many of Shane’s fans as possible to be allowed to attend.

The SAS Australia star considered his father his hero, and said this week nothing will ever fill the void he left behind. (Jackson and Shane are seen here in an undated photo)

The SAS Australia star considered his father his hero, and said this week nothing will ever fill the void he left behind. (Jackson and Shane are seen here in an undated photo)

The SAS Australia star considered his father his hero, and said this week nothing will ever fill the void he left behind. (Jackson and Shane are seen here in an undated photo)

A state funeral will be held on March 30 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with as many of Shane's fans as possible to be allowed to attend

A state funeral will be held on March 30 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with as many of Shane's fans as possible to be allowed to attend

A state funeral will be held on March 30 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with as many of Shane’s fans as possible to be allowed to attend

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