Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains images of deceased persons.

Phoenix Spicer’s family has taken to social media to address misinformation surrounding the death of the former North Melbourne player.

Days after his passing, the family have hit back at swirling rumours that have popped up regarding his passing.

The sister of Spicer’s partner, Ky-ya Nicholson Ward, wrote on Facebook on Sunday.

“There’s a lot of misinformation going around right now and I want to make it VERY CLEAR, our brother Phoenix did not take his own life,” Dharna Nicholson-Bux said in the post.

“If you hear or witness these rumours please shut them down to protect his heart and dignity while he makes his journey to the Dreamtime.”

Dharna was also the one who confirmed the heartbreaking loss of Phoenix when she posted on Saturday.

“We are devastated to share that last night we tragically lost our brother Phoenix Spicer. A beautiful, loyal and strong Nunggubuyu man,” she wrote in a post.

“Phoenix will forever be our beloved brother, uncle, son, a partner to Ky-ya and a second dad to Jordy.

“Our hearts are broken with your sudden loss, you are watching over us in the Dreaming now my brother we will miss you!

“Forever 23.”

The North Melbourne Football Club paid tribute to the ex-AFL player, describing him as a “popular” and “well-liked” player.

“The Club extends its deepest condolences to Spicer’s friends, family and loved ones at this difficult time and ask that their privacy be respected,” a team statement read.

A proud Nunggubuyu man, Spicer hailed from Numbulwar – a remote community in East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.

His totem was a barramundi fish.

He was selected to play with North Melbourne from South Australia in the 2020 national draft, and played 12 games for the Kangaroos.

His final game took place in round 14 of the 2023 season.

Spicer also played a role assisting Emma Bamblett with the design of the team’s 2023 Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey, which featured each of the team’s First Nations players’ totems.

He played 18 games for the VFL Footscray Bulldogs across the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

North Melbourne president Sonja Hood AM said: “Phoenix was only at the club for a short time but he was a popular and well-liked member of the playing group.”

“On behalf of the club, I would like pass on my condolences to Phoenix’s family and friends at this extremely sad time.”

– with Alexandra Feiam, NewsWire

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