Mick Fanning has sent a heartfelt tribute to his older brother Edward following his death.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that Edward had died in Madagascar and is providing support to the Fanning family.
The shocking news follows the death of Mick’s older brother Peter in 2015, and the death of another brother, Sean. in a car accident at Coolangatta in 1998, when the former world champion was just 17 years old.
And surfing legend Mick took to Instagram on Tuesday night to pay his respects to his older brother, who first introduced him to surfing.
“Ed, I love you my brother,” he began. ‘You taught me a lot over the years about everything life can bring. The good and the bad you were my teacher. You introduced us all to surfing, the joy and freedom of riding a wave.
‘The meaning of going to the ends of the earth to find waves or follow a passion with the belief that surfing could be the ultimate job. As the years passed, you drifted in and out of the ocean, but your raw talent would always shine.
‘How far you ended up teaching kids the joy of riding a wave. Without you I’m not sure what the world would have made of me, so thank you.
‘Ed, you had the biggest heart and were too loyal for your own good. Always standing up for the helpless and caring for those who needed help. You gave everyone everything you had, and if you didn’t have it, you would still give it to them.
‘You made your friends feel like superheroes and gave so many people the funniest memories that will last a lifetime.
I know sometimes you found it difficult to find your happy place. It makes my heart happy to know that you found it these last few years. Hearing the excitement in your voice every time we spoke filled me with hope.
‘I wish you could accept all the love people would give you. You weren’t perfect but no one wanted you to be. We just loved Ed. The Larikin who threw a Shaka in every photo and screamed at the top of his lungs.
‘As you dance down that final path towards that eternal sunset, know that we all love you, friend. SEEEEEEEEEEWWW HAHA.
Ed Fanning (pictured), aged in his 40s, had been living and working at a surf camp in Madagascar.
‘Thank you to all the family and friends who have shown us their love and supported us during this difficult time. And thanks to Ed’s family and friends in Madagascar who showed him that happiness is real. Lots of love’.
Edward’s best friend, Coolangatta bodyboarder Stevie Maher, took to Facebook to relay the devastating news.
“Firstly, I want to send my condolences to the Fanning family… mom Liz, dad John, sister Rachel and brother Mick,” Maher posted.
‘My heart is broken to hear of the passing of my best friend. I enjoyed and spent many amazing times with you, Eddie.
‘You were in my wedding party, we had so many epic moments together in Indo and we were best friends.
“I’m going to miss you Eddie and now you rest in peace.”
In July 2015, three-time world champion Fanning was attacked by a shark off Jefferys Bay in South Africa while competing in the J-Bay Open surf contest.
The experience, watched by thousands of horrified viewers on live television, left Fanning with post-traumatic stress disorder and recurring nightmares for years to come.
In December of that year, Fanning nearly missed her fourth world title when she competed in the season finale in Hawaii, just hours after her brother Peter’s death, and her mother, Elizabeth Osborne, said the coroner discovered that he had died due to an enlarged heart.
The 42-year-old surfed in Hawaii just hours after learning his brother Peter had died from an enlarged heart in December 2015.
Fanning left interviewer and former professional surfer Rosy Hodge in tears as she described her state of mind during the competition.
“I’m walking down and I almost cry every time I paddle out,” he said, his voice shaking.
‘Even in the water, just going through waves of emotion.
‘A friend once told me that we can deal with anything. You just have to do your best and be true to yourself and things will happen.”
‘Like all my older brothers, Peter will always be a hero to me. “I have so many good memories of the good times we all had together and they will be with me forever,” Fanning wrote to his 705,000 Instagram followers after the tragedy.
‘We recently caught up and he told me how proud he was of me and how much he loves watching me compete.
“I knew I could find the strength to participate in the last event of the season because that’s what Pete would want.”