South African rugby player Hyron Andrews died of natural causes, team statement says

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — An autopsy has found South African rugby player Hyron Andrews died from natural causes, a statement issued by his team the Lions on behalf of his family said Wednesday.

The statement, citing French authorities who conducted the autopsy, said Andrews' death last week at the age of 31 ahead of a game in France was found to be caused by “a tear in the aorta (due to natural causes)”. The aorta is the main artery leading away from the heart.

“The Andrews family asks for respect, privacy and patience during this difficult time as the repatriation process begins,” the statement added. “A timeline for the return of Hyron’s body to South Africa has not yet been determined.”

Andrews played as a lock for the Johannesburg-based Lions and was found dead at the team's hotel in France last week ahead of a Champions Cup against La Rochelle, a French prosecutor told The Associated Press at the time.

Andrews' jersey was placed on the field as tribute was paid to him ahead of the game, with several Lions players in tears.

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