Dieter Brummer’s devastated family have remembered him as a “talented” and deeply “complicated” man following his death at age 45.
The actor was best known for his outstanding role opposite starlet Melissa George, as Shane Parrish on Home and Away.
Brummer was found deceased in Glenhaven, in Sydney’s north-west, on Saturday afternoon.
His grieving family have released a statement, admitting that his death has left a “massive hole in their lives”.
Family friend Steve Comey released his statement following news of the tragic death.
Comey said his beloved friend died just one day after his birthday.
“On behalf of my family, We post this today with a heavy heart,” the statement reads.
“We lost our handsome, talented, funny, complicated and beloved Dieter on Saturday morning. “He has left a massive hole in our lives and our World will never be the same.
“Our thoughts go out to all of you who knew him, loved him, or worked with him over the years. “We appreciate you respecting our privacy at this terrible time”.
The actor’s former girlfriend, Kristy Wright, shared a new tribute to Brummer.
Wright played Chloe Richards in Home and Away and revealed he was her “first true love”.
“I don’t have any words right now but my heart is screaming and I am numb.. Rest In Peace my darling Dieter, my first true love,” she wrote.
The actress shared a second post with multiple photographs of the former couple, saying the world “lost a gift” and he was “a man who deserved more”.
She also went into detail about their young love, telling fans they met when she was just 17.
“Anyone who knows Dieter knows how much he enjoyed discussion and debating ideas. I was a young girl from the burbs and he was Australia’s heartthrob.. but.. he was so normal!. So down to earth.. but still so interesting.
“I fell in love with him very quickly and fortunately for me he felt the same way. We were each other’s safety blankets and we were best friends. Even after we broke up years later, our friendship never died.”
Wright went on to explain how much of an adventurer and risk taker he was, which became clear during their camping stint around Australia together.
“Those times spent together shaped me in the most profound way. He was intelligent, funny and challenging,” she said.
“He had high expectations of people because he knew that we as a species were capable of so much more…. I’m so grateful that we stayed friends and for over 25 years he has been a constant in my life and someone that I could call at any hour.”
“… the world has lost a gift this weekend. A luminous, unique, complex man. A man who deserved more.”
Channel 7 has released a statement, saying: “Channel 7 and Home and Away are deeply saddened to hear of Dieter Brummer’s passing.
“We send our sincere condolences to Dieter’s family and friends during this very difficult time.”
Brummer spent four years on the set of Home and Away from 1992-1996.
He took out the most popular actor Silver Logie in both 1995 and 1996.
He went on to appear in various TV dramas including the Underbelly series, Rescue Special Ops, and Winners and Losers.
He even had a stint on Neighbours in both 2011 and 2012 as the character Troy Miller.
His family has encouraged anyone struggling to seek help.
“Should you, or anyone you know be affected by this, or indeed are feeling pain at this time, there are good people that you can talk to. Please pick up the phone – Lifeline 13 11 14.”
This article first appeared on Over60.