THE 15-year-old son of Australian rock icon Nick Cave has died after falling from a cliff in Brighton on the southern coast of England.
“Our son Arthur died on Tuesday evening. He was our beautiful, happy loving boy,” Cave and his wife, model Susie Bick, said in a statement issued by Sussex Police.
“We ask that we be given the privacy our family needs to grieve at this difficult time.”
Police said that Arthur was found with life-threatening injuries about 6pm (1700 GMT) on Tuesday after having fallen from the cliffs at Ovingdean Gap.
“He died later that evening of his injuries in hospital. The death is not being treated as suspicious,” a spokesman said.
Arthur’s family visited the tragic scene overnight, reading messages and tributes left on the clifftop. His twin brother Earl left a bunch of flowers with a note.
“I love you so much. You were a joy to be around and I will never forget you. You were the best brother I could ever ask for. Earl x x x x x,” he wrote in the note.
The Mirror reported that Arthur was seen looking happy and smiling in a picture he uploaded to Snapchat just two hours before he fell.
Arthur was shown smiling in a baseball cap and sweatshirt just 90 metres from the spot where he later fell, the Mirror reported.
Nick Cave grew up in south-eastern Australia but moved to London with his punk band The Birthday Party in 1980.
He is best known for his work with the band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
The 57-year-old lives in Brighton, a liberal seaside town popular with artists and musicians.
Friends from Bedes school where Arthur was a student laid flowers at the clifftop.
Ed Bucknall told The Argus that Arthur was his best friend and he saw him every day.
“He was one of the nicest guys you could meet, he was so funny and just so much fun. He never said a bad word about anyone.
“He loved skating, we always used to skate together. And now we can’t.”
Another friend, Charles Terras, 14, said: “We were at his house yesterday morning and then later on in the day we couldn’t get hold of him. He kind of disappeared.
“It is horrible for his brother Earl.”
Kimya Hajisaeagh, 15, told The Mirror she was in shock by her friend’s death.
“I think he was with his brother and a friend at some point that day but I don’t know whether he was with him at the time he fell,” she said. “He wouldn’t normally hang around here but one of our friends lives near the hillside and he may have been going to visit him, it’s just the worst thing ever.
“He was the best guy. Always laughing and joking. He was great to be around, everyone loved spending time with him,” she said.
I can't bear the thought of the grief the Cave family are going through at the moment. My heart is breaking for all of them.
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) July 15, 2015
Sending love and sad thoughts to Nick Cave and his family today.
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) July 15, 2015
Hearing some terrible news that Nick Cave's son Arthur has died. So awful for Arthur who was so young and had so much to do.
— Eddie Perfect (@Eddieperfect) July 15, 2015
This is unspeakable. Heart sore for Nick Cave & Arthur's family and friends. RIP :( https://t.co/kZRm40osO0
— CherrySue (@ItsCherrySue) July 15, 2015
Very sad news about @nickcave's son. All at TVO would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Mr Cave & his family.
— The Velvet Onion (@thevelvetonion) July 15, 2015
Feel completely sick at the news about Nick Cave's son.
— Andy Dawson (@profanityswan) July 15, 2015
Dear Nick Cave & family. I am so sorry. Losing a child is unimaginable. Heartfelt sympathy to you x
— Clare Curran (@clarecurranmp) July 15, 2015
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