dpFormer Bondi Rescue star Matt Dee has died.
The tragic news was announced on the FTW Revolution Instagram page on Wednesday morning alongside an image of Dee throwing his head back laughing while holding a beer.
Matt Dee, former Bondi Rescue star has died. Danielle Smith DKS
Dee appeared on the Australian hit reality show Bondi Rescue from 2008 to 2017.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our Matt Dee,” the statement read.
“Matt touched the lives of many, he also did amazing work and he will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those who knew and loved him.”
Dee’s cause of death has not been confirmed.
FTW Revolution page, a clothing brand connected to Suicide Prevention Australia, for which Dee was an ambassador, shared that funeral arrangements and details will be made public once they have been finalised.
“This page is being monitored, however, please understand that we may not be able to respond to every message. We truly appreciate every kind message, thought and tribute.
“If Matt’s passing has brought up difficult feelings for you, please know that you don’t have to face them alone. Support is available.”
Dee was a passionate mental health ambassador after losing both his brother and sister within a year following their descent into severe mental health illness.
Dee tragically lost his brother and sister to mental health struggles within a year of each other. YouTube/@BondiRescue
Dee is being remembered as “one of a kind”. YouTube/@BondiRescue
His younger sister, Rachel Bridger Dee, died aged 30 in December 2009. She had been living with schizophrenia for about a decade. Older brother Jonathan had bipolar disorder. He died months earlier, at 34.
The Bondi Rescue star was two years younger than Jonathon and three years older than Rachel.
The tight-knit family was raised by their single mother in Melbourne. They holidayed in Torquay where they learned to surf.
In a 2011 interview with The Sun-Herald, Dee said of his siblings’ deaths: “What happened was not their fault.”
“They did their best to manage their illnesses. It wasn’t their fault. They had a problem inside their heads. It’s something we don’t understand. How would we know what it’s like?”
Dee was open about living with the guilt of their deaths, feeling he could have done more.
He was an ambassador for Schizophrenia Research Institute.
Tributes have flooded FTW Revolution’s announcement, with many remembering Dee as “one of a kind”.
“Rest easy, Matt. You were always my favourite lifeguard, and my admiration has only grown after learning and seeing what you stood for,” one wrote.
Another said: “RIP Matty Dee your humour heroism will be missed and remembered every day.”
A third wrote: “Rip my mate Matt Dee. We had so much fun surfing and running a muck together growing up. You definitely lived life to the fullest, see you in the next life legend Spikas.”
If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time, please know that support is available Lifeline (Australia): Call 13 11 14 (Available 24/7) or text 0477 13 11 14.
