Former Dragons and Sharks rugby league star Lance Thompson has been found dead at his Cronulla unit.
Police and paramedics were called to his home last night.
A report is being prepared for the coroner, but police say there were no suspicious circumstances or evidence of self harm.
Thompson was 40.
The flame-haired Thompson developed a cult following in 11 seasons with St George and St George Illawarra before finishing his NRL career with three seasons with the Sharks.
He played 201 games for the Dragons and retired in 2008 having won five NSW City jumpers.
He made his debut as a teenager for St George in 1995, he played in the grand final the following year, as well as St George Illawarra's dramatic loss to Melbourne in the 1999 decider.
He played 201 games in the red and white before departing for Cronulla and played three seasons at the Sharks before retiring in 2008.
Thompson was forced to retire following debilitating pain in a knee, which he said was preventing him from keeping up with his then-seven-year-old daughter while playing soccer in a local park.
Thompson ran several restaurants after his playing days finished and as recently as this year filmed a segment for Fox League at one of his premises, Woolooware Golf Club.
There has been an outpouring of emotion on the Leader’s facebook page from people learning the sad news.
Mish McKenzie posted: “Oh this is such awful news. I’m in shock. Lance was a really nice guy, as a player in my team (the Dragons) and running his restaurants at Kareela & Woolooware golf clubs. He always looked after his customers. May he Rest In Peace.”
Leanne Oakley wrote: “An incredibly devoted and loving father, I taught his eldest daughter to swim. Sending lots of love to his kids.”
And Jimi Karagiannis said: “Such terrible news. Condolences to his family and to all rugby league fans, particularly from the Dragons and the Sharks. May he Rest In Peace.”