South African police have launched an investigation into the death of national team midfielder Jayden Adams after his body was discovered at a property in Cape Town.
The 25-year-old died just two weeks after helping South Africa reach the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.
In a statement, police confirmed that an inquest had been opened following the discovery of Adams’ body on Saturday morning in the Schotsche Kloof area of Cape Town.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation,” police said, adding that no cause of death has yet been established.
Adams’ father, Juanito Adams, said the family were awaiting the outcome of an autopsy before making funeral arrangements.
“It was an untimely death. The family is struggling to process it. It won’t be easy to carry on. People say it becomes easier, but it doesn’t—you simply learn to live with it,” he said.
Adams featured in all three of South Africa’s group-stage matches before missing the Round of 32 defeat to Canada.
South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, paid tribute to the midfielder, recalling how Adams had courageously played against the Czech Republic despite learning of his grandmother’s death just hours earlier.
McKenzie also urged the public to avoid speculation while investigations continue.
Tributes were observed before the World Cup quarter-final matches between England and Norway, and Argentina and Switzerland, where players and supporters honoured the late midfielder with moments of silence.
