South African police probe death of footballer Jayden Adams after World Cup return
South African international midfielder Jayden Adams was found dead at his home in Cape Town shortly after returning from the FIFA World Cup. Police have opened an investigation; the cause of death has not been disclosed.
Police in Cape Town, South Africa, have launched an investigation into the death of footballer Jayden Adams, whose body was discovered at a home in the Schotsche Kloof neighborhood after he returned from the World Cup in North America. The 25-year-old midfielder for the South African national team was confirmed dead on Saturday by the South African Football Players Union. The cause of death has not been revealed.
Adams started two of the three World Cup matches he played for South Africa: a 1–1 draw against the Czech Republic and a 2–0 loss to Mexico. He came on as a substitute in a 1–0 win over South Korea and was an unused substitute when South Africa was eliminated by Canada on June 28. Notably, he played in the draw against the Czech Republic just one day after the death of his grandmother, Marianna.
His father, Juanito Adams, told local news outlet eNCA that the family is struggling to cope. "People say it will become easier, but it won't. You just learn to live with it," he said. A moment of silence was held for Adams before the quarterfinal match between England and Norway on Saturday.
South Africa's Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, praised Adams's character, saying: "That he chose to wear the national jersey and give his all for his country in that moment speaks to a depth of character and professionalism well beyond his years."
