Home And Away ‘curse’ takes another star as Dieter Brummer dies

Nineties heartthrob Dieter Brummer tragically died at age 45 over the weekend, two decades after his rise to fame playing Shane Parrish on Home and Away.

The two-time Logie winner was found dead at a home in Glenhaven, in Sydney’s north-west, on Saturday afternoon, NSW Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia.

Police said the discovery was made during ‘a concern for welfare’ check and the death was not being treated as suspicious. It’s suspected Brummer died by suicide.

Brummer’s passing is the latest in a series of tragedies to befall the cast of the seminal Australian soap opera. 

Over the years, several actors who had appeared on the long-running Channel Seven soap have died in both tragic and mysterious circumstances. 

Ben Unwin, is best known for portraying Jesse McGregor on Home And Away, died in August 2019, just one day before his 42nd birthday.  

RIP: Police said Brummer’s death was not being treated as suspicious and is suspected to be a suicide. Pictured here in 1995

Soap career: Brummer’s character was written off Home and Away when Shane died from septicaemia (blood poisoning) in 1996. Pictured with co-star Melissa George

At the time, NSW Police confirmed his body had been found at his home in Minyon Falls, near Byron Bay, during a welfare check, and that his death was not being treated as suspicious.   

On January 6, model Annalise Braakensiek was found dead in her inner-city Sydney apartment after police were alerted by her close friends and family. She was 46.

Annalise, who played Lise for one episode of Home and Away in 1998, had caused concern by posting a series of cryptic Instagram posts shortly before her death. 

Loss: Ben Unwin (pictured) died in August 14 2019, with NSW Police confirming his body was ‘located’ at Minyon Falls, near Byron Bay

Fan favourite: The 41-year-old played Jesse McGregor on the Channel Seven soap from 1996 until 2000, before returning in 2002 and leaving once again in July 2005

In one of her last posts from December 15, the troubled actress wrote: ‘Everything seems to feel twisted and upside down at the moment’. 

Jessica Falkholt, who played Hope Morrison on the soap in 2016, died on January 17, 2018 following a horror car crash. She was 28.

She had spent three weeks in a critical condition at Sydney’s St George Hospital after the Boxing Day smash on the NSW south coast that also killed her parents and younger sister. 

Heartbreaking: On January 6, model Annalise Braakensiek was found dead in her inner-city Sydney apartment after police were alerted by her close friends and family. She was 46

Throwback: Annalise, who played Lise for one episode of Home and Away in 1998 (pictured), had caused concern by posting a series of cryptic Instagram posts shortly before her death

Devastated family members told Daily Mail Australia after Jessica’s death that while it was a sad time, they were at peace knowing the actress was ‘back with her family’.

‘We’re all sad but she is with her family now. Her mum was her biggest supporter so I am sure she is in her arms,’ the relative said. 

Russell Kiefel, the actor who played Roy O’Neale from 1993 to 1994, tragically died on November 20, 2016, after collapsing on stage in Darwin. 

Gone too soon: Jessica Falkholt, who played Hope Morrison on the soap in 2016, died on January 17, 2018 following a horror car crash. She was 28. Pictured with co-star Pia Miller

Senseless: She had spent three weeks in a critical condition at Sydney’s St George Hospital after a Boxing Day smash on the NSW south coast that also killed her parents and sister

The 65-year-old was performing in a production of And I’m the Queen of Sheba at Brown’s Mart Theatre when he fell ill, before passing away days later.

He was also known for his stint on Neighbours as Russell Brennan throughout 2015. 

In 2001, actress Megan Connolly reportedly ‘died of a heroin overdose’ at a relative’s home in New South Wales, according to The Independent. She was 27.

Doing what he loved: Russell Kiefel (pictured), the actor who played Roy O’Neale from 1993 to 1994, tragically died on November 20, 2016, after collapsing on stage in Darwin

Megan had taken over the role of Rebecca Nash in 1998, after actress Belinda Emmett, who previously played the character, was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Tragically, Belinda lost her battle with cancer in 2006, just a year after marrying TV presenter Rove McManus. She was 32.

Several cast members from Home and Away have died of cancer over the years. 

Talented: He was also known for his stint on Neighbours as Russell Brennan throughout 2015

In January 2019, Darius Perkins, who played Gary Samuels in 1988, died of the disease aged 54. 

He had also played Scott Robinson on Neighbours in 1985, before the role was taken over by Jason Donovan.

On May 4, 2018, Cathy Godbold lost her decade-long fight with cancer. She was 43. 

Australians will remember Cathy for playing Meg Bowman on Home and Away in 1992, and Sondra Pike on Neighbours in 1997. 

Sad: In 2001, actress Megan Connolly reportedly ‘died of a heroin overdose’ at a relative’s home in New South Wales, according to The Independent. She was 27

Another tragedy: Megan had taken over the role of Rebecca Nash in 1998, after actress Belinda Emmett (pictured), who previously played the character, was diagnosed with breast cancer 

Bittersweet ceremony: Tragically, Belinda (left) lost her battle with cancer in 2006, just a year after marrying TV presenter Rove McManus (right). She was 32 

Also in 2018, beloved screen star Cornelia Frances died of cancer aged 77. 

Cornelia was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2016 and doctors later told her the disease had spread to her hip and spine. 

She played the recurring role of Morag Bellingham on the soap from 1988 to 2017. 

• If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741.  
• For confidential support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit a local branch. See www.samaritans.org for details.
• For confidential support in Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au. Alternatively, call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800

Talented: In May 2018, Cathy Godbold lost her decade-long fight with cancer. She was 43

Fan favourite: Cornelia played the recurring role of Morag Bellingham on the soap from 1988 to 2017. Pictured: Cornelia on set with Ray Meagher (centre) and Mark Furze (right) in 2006