The wife and business manager of popular former York Wasps star Tawera Nikau has been found dead.
Letitia Nikau was found hanging at a house in Grapenhall, Cheshire. There are no suspicious circumstances.
Her husband, a New Zealand rugby league international, created a whirl of Nikau-mania when he jetted into the Wasps' promotion quest part way through the 1990/1 season.
He stayed for a year before moving on to Castleford, going to Australia and then returning to England to play for Warrington.
A minute's silence was held during this weekend's Warrington Castleford game following news of the death.
John Stabler, Wasps chairman, said: "Tawera Nikau, a former Wasp is very much in our thoughts and sympathies. It's ten years since he graced our stadium with his magnificent presence in those halcyon days. It's a terrible thing and we're very sad for his family."
A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police said: "Just before 8pm on Thursday police were notified by the ambulance service that they had been called to a house in Knutsford Road, Grapenhall, where a 36-year-old woman was found hanging. The ambulance crew administered aid to the woman and took her to Warrington District General Hospital where she later died despite the efforts of medical staff.
"A post mortem was conducted and confirmed the cause of death as hanging. There are no suspicious circumstances."
Updated: 11:52 Monday, April 09, 2001
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article