Mick Fanning Tragically Loses Third + Eldest Brother

Edward Fanning was working as a surf guide in Madagascar before his passing. 

Australian surfing champion Mick Fanning has reportedly been struck with another tragedy with the death of his third brother, Edward. This follows the loss of Sean Fanning, who was killed in a car crash at Coolangatta on the Gold Coast in 1998 at the age of 20, and the death of Peter Fanning, who died aged 43 from a health-related condition in 2015.

Edward’s friend, Coolangatta bodyboarder Stevie Maher, broke the news on Facebook on Tuesday. “Firstly I want to send my condolences to the Fanning family … mum Liz, dad John, sister Rachel and brother Mick,” he wrote on Facebook. “My heart is broken to hear the passing of my best mate. I enjoyed and had so many amazing times with you Eddie. I’m goin’ to miss you Eddie and now you rest in peace.”

Edward was working in Anakao, Madagascar as a surf guide at his time of passing.

“I texted Mick this morning and he said ‘[Ed] he was finally really happy, he’d been struggling a bit’, so it’s really sad news,” said Occy on the WSL’s broadcast today. “They’ve been through so much. His poor mum, Liz… I can’t wait to give her a big hug.”

Mick is now the last remaining son of Liz Osborne and John Fanning. His sister, Rachel Fanning, who works as a psychologist, lives nearby on the Gold Coast. 

In 2015, following a divorce, shark attack and the death of his older brother Peter, Mick told 60 Minutes, “I was like ‘what else? What else can be taken in a year?’ At the end of 2015, I just hit rock bottom.”

What a cruel, cruel set of circumstances. Our hearts go out to the Fanning family.