Friends of late Home and Away actor Dieter Brummer speak out after suicide

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    Friends of Dieter Brummer feared he ‘wasn’t going to be on this earth for long’ as he became increasingly withdrawn towards the end of his acting career. 

    Sources close to the Home and Away actor spoke to Daily Mail Australia about his troubled life after his death on Saturday at the age of 45, with one saying ‘you just got the impression’ he would die young because of his ‘shy, introverted’ nature.

    A crew member who worked with Brummer on 2010’s Underbelly: The Golden Mile, in which he played corrupt police detective Trevor Haken, said they had a ‘strong impression he had demons’ when they first met.

    Meanwhile, it’s rumoured Brummer’s window-cleaning business recently went under and he ended a romantic relationship earlier this year.

    Fears: Friends of Dieter Brummer feared he'wasn't going to be on this earth for long' as he became increasingly withdrawn towards the end of his acting career. Pictured in June 2005

    Fears: Friends of Dieter Brummer feared he ‘wasn’t going to be on this earth for long’ as he became increasingly withdrawn towards the end of his acting career. Pictured in June 2005

    ‘He had friendships with co-stars while shows were filming, but he wasn’t the type of guy to keep in touch once the show wrapped,’ said the Underbelly crew member.

    ‘He was a shy man who kept to himself. When I met Dieter, I felt like he wasn’t going to be on this earth for long. You just got that impression.’

    Underbelly ended up being Brummer’s last major acting job, as his subsequent credits were guests roles on Neighbours and Winners & Losers.

    Demons: A crew member who worked with Brummer on Nine's Underbelly (right, as corrupt cop Trevor Haken) said they had a'strong impression he had demons' when they first met

    Demons: A crew member who worked with Brummer on Nine’s Underbelly (right, as corrupt cop Trevor Haken) said they had a ‘strong impression he had demons’ when they first met

    Introverted: 'He had friendships with co-stars while shows were filming, but he wasn't the type of guy to keep in touch,' said the crew member. Brummer is pictured on set in Kings Cross

    Introverted: ‘He had friendships with co-stars while shows were filming, but he wasn’t the type of guy to keep in touch,’ said the crew member. Brummer is pictured on set in Kings Cross

    After this, he focused on his secondary career as a window cleaner.

    Another source with knowledge of Brummer’s early career said he would often smoke cannabis to relax – which led to an early brush with the law in 1995 when, at age 19, he pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis, but escaped a conviction.

    His drug use reportedly led to tension with his co-stars on Home and Away, in which he played teen heartthrob Shane Parrish from 1992 to 1996.

    Drugs: A source with knowledge of Brummer's early career said he'd often smoke cannabis to relax - which led to an early brush with the law in 1995 when, at age 19, he pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis. Pictured on Home and Away with co-star Melissa George

    Drugs: A source with knowledge of Brummer’s early career said he’d often smoke cannabis to relax – which led to an early brush with the law in 1995 when, at age 19, he pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis. Pictured on Home and Away with co-star Melissa George

    ‘Dieter smoked a lot of weed because he was an over-thinker and it was a good way to escape the pressure actors put themselves,’ the insider added.

    However, they hastened to add Brummer wasn’t a serious drug user.

    ‘He experimented with recreational drugs but no more than his peers. Being in the media perhaps made his drug use a bigger deal than it actually was,’ they said.

    Conflict: His drug use reportedly led to tension with his co-stars on Home and Away, in which he played teen heartthrob Shane Parrish from 1992 to 1996

    Conflict: His drug use reportedly led to tension with his co-stars on Home and Away, in which he played teen heartthrob Shane Parrish from 1992 to 1996

    In the late 2000s, when he was still working occasionally as an actor, Brummer retrained as a high-rise window washer – a career he said he loved because it involved using his hands and meant he ‘[didn’t] have to deal with people too much’.

    He even started his own window-cleaning business, but this apparently ran into financial trouble several months ago.

    While Brummer said he was happy to leave acting behind and take on physical work, those close to him say he often fretted over what could have been.

    Two trades: In the late 2000s, when he was still working occasionally as an actor, Brummer retrained as a high-rise window washer - a career he said he loved because it involved using his hands and meant he'[didn't] have to deal with people too much'. When he won a Silver Logie in 2011 (pictured her with Underbelly co-star Sigrid Thornton) he was balancing both careers

    Two trades: In the late 2000s, when he was still working occasionally as an actor, Brummer retrained as a high-rise window washer – a career he said he loved because it involved using his hands and meant he ‘[didn’t] have to deal with people too much’. When he won a Silver Logie in 2011 (pictured her with Underbelly co-star Sigrid Thornton) he was balancing both careers

    ‘At one stage he was the most popular boy on soaps. He simply couldn’t walk down the street without being stopped and photographed,’ a friend said.

    ‘Over the last few years, people didn’t really stop him anymore. If they did, it was to ask “What happened?”‘

    Despite focusing on his ‘plan B’ career in recent years, Brummer left the door open to a return acting – but he still faced obstacles, ironically because of his early success.

    ‘No matter what he did professionally, he was always Shane Parrish,’ the pal added.

    Last hurrah: Underbelly ended up being Brummer's last major acting job, as his subsequent credits were guests roles on Neighbours (pictured) and Winners & Losers

    Last hurrah: Underbelly ended up being Brummer’s last major acting job, as his subsequent credits were guests roles on Neighbours (pictured) and Winners & Losers

    Brummer was a private person and relatively little is known about his romantic relationships, but there are rumours he went though a break-up earlier in the year and had moved back in with his parents. 

    He was found dead at a home in Glenhaven, in Sydney’s north-west, on Saturday afternoon, NSW Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia on Monday.

    His death is not being treated as suspicious and is suspected to be a suicide.

    Glory days: Despite focusing on his'plan B' career in recent years, Brummer left the door open to a return acting - but he still faced obstacles, ironically because of his early success.'No matter what he did professionally, he was always Shane Parrish,' a friend said

    Glory days: Despite focusing on his ‘plan B’ career in recent years, Brummer left the door open to a return acting – but he still faced obstacles, ironically because of his early success. ‘No matter what he did professionally, he was always Shane Parrish,’ a friend said

    ‘About 1.30pm (Saturday 24 July 2021), officers from The Hills Police Area Command responded to reports of a concern for welfare at a home on Glenhaven Road, Glenhaven,’ a police spokesperson said.

    ‘The body of a man was located inside the home. His death is not believed to be suspicious. A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.’

    Following the news of his passing, Brummer’s family released a statement saying their world would ‘never be the same’. 

    Tragedy: Brummer was found dead at a home in Glenhaven, in Sydney's north-west, on Saturday afternoon, NSW Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia on Monday. His death is not being treated as suspicious and is suspected to be a suicide. Pictured in 1993

    Tragedy: Brummer was found dead at a home in Glenhaven, in Sydney’s north-west, on Saturday afternoon, NSW Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia on Monday. His death is not being treated as suspicious and is suspected to be a suicide. Pictured in 1993

    ‘On behalf of my family, We post this today with a heavy heart,’ it began.

    ‘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.

    ‘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.’

    Channel Seven, which airs Home and Away in Australia, said the network was ‘deeply saddened’ to learn of Brummer’s death.

    ‘Home and Away and Channel Seven are deeply saddened to hear of Dieter Brummer’s passing,’ a spokesperson said. 

    ‘Dieter was a much-loved Home and Away cast member and celebrated by Australian and international audiences for his award-winning portrayal of Shane Parrish. 

    ‘We send our sincere condolences to Dieter’s family and friends during this very difficult time.’

    If you or someone you know is struggling, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636

    Regrets: While Brummer said he was happy to leave acting behind and take on physical work, those close to him say he often fretted over what could have been. Pictured in the'90s

    Regrets: While Brummer said he was happy to leave acting behind and take on physical work, those close to him say he often fretted over what could have been. Pictured in the ’90s

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