Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains images of deceased persons.<\/p>\n
Phoenix Spicer\u2019s family has taken to social media to address misinformation surrounding the death of the former North Melbourne player.<\/p>\n
Days after his passing, the family have hit back at swirling rumours that have popped up regarding his passing.<\/p>\n
The sister of Spicer\u2019s partner, Ky-ya Nicholson Ward, wrote on Facebook on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s 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,\u201d Dharna Nicholson-Bux said in the post.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you hear or witness these rumours please shut them down to protect his heart and dignity while he makes his journey to the Dreamtime.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dharna was also the one who confirmed the heartbreaking loss of Phoenix when she posted on Saturday. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are devastated to share that last night we tragically lost our brother Phoenix Spicer. A beautiful, loyal and strong Nunggubuyu man,\u201d she wrote in a post.<\/p>\n
\u201cPhoenix will forever be our beloved brother, uncle, son, a partner to Ky-ya and a second dad to Jordy.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur hearts are broken with your sudden loss, you are watching over us in the Dreaming now my brother we will miss you!<\/p>\n
\u201cForever 23.\u201d<\/p>\n
The North Melbourne Football Club paid tribute to the ex-AFL player, describing him as a \u201cpopular\u201d and \u201cwell-liked\u201d player.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Club extends its deepest condolences to Spicer\u2019s friends, family and loved ones at this difficult time and ask that their privacy be respected,\u201d a team statement read.<\/p>\n
A proud Nunggubuyu man, Spicer hailed from Numbulwar \u2013 a remote community in East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.<\/p>\n
His totem was a barramundi fish.<\/p>\n
He was selected to play with North Melbourne from South Australia in the 2020 national draft, and played 12 games for the Kangaroos.<\/p>\n
His final game took place in round 14 of the 2023 season.<\/p>\n
Spicer also played a role assisting Emma Bamblett with the design of the team\u2019s 2023 Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey, which featured each of the team\u2019s First Nations players\u2019 totems.<\/p>\n
He played 18 games for the VFL Footscray Bulldogs across the 2024 and 2025 seasons.<\/p>\n
North Melbourne president Sonja Hood AM said: \u201cPhoenix was only at the club for a short time but he was a popular and well-liked member of the playing group.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOn behalf of the club, I would like pass on my condolences to Phoenix\u2019s family and friends at this extremely sad time.\u201d<\/p>\n
– with Alexandra Feiam, NewsWire<\/p>\n