Former Socceroo Stephen Laybutt found dead on NSW north coast, football legend Robbie Slater leads tributes

Australian football’s upper echelons have been rocked by the death of former Socceroos star Stephen Laybutt, whose body has been found on New South Wales’ north coast.

Football legend Robbie Slater led the heartfelt tributes for Laybutt, who came out as gay years after injury ended his on-field career in 2008.

Laybutt’s body was located in bushland near Cabarita, south of Tweed Heads, at 7pm on Sunday night.

The 46-year-old Sydney man was reported missing on Saturday morning, having reportedly spent the previous day with friends in the area.

His car, a silver Mercedes, was found near a set of shops in Cabarita at 11.30am on Saturday.

Laybutt, a talented centre back from Wollongong, made his Australian domestic debut in 1995 and played for a variety of clubs at home and in Europe before an ACL rupture while playing for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League in 2008 ended his career.

He made 15 appearances for the Socceroos between 2000 and 2004, and was a part of the Olyroos’ 2000 Olympic team, alongside the likes of Mark Viduka and Lucas Neill.

He enjoyed an overseas career, playing for various teams in Europe.

Hiding his sexuality was something that had a “massive effect” on his career, he later revealed.

“I wish I’d played in a World Cup – but it was still a half decent career. A few rumours went around, some media approached me, but I didn’t return their calls,” he told the Star Observer.

Laybutt also made headlines in 2021 when he selflessly donated his kidney to a man on dialysis he had met while working at the rehabilitation unit at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.

He contacted patient Ian Pavey via text message with the offer to save his life.

“Hey mate it’s Steve from St Vincent’s,” the message said according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

“I want to investigate if I could give you a kidney. Consider it please.”

Laybutt had been helping the 67-year-old recover from a knee operation and said he made the incredible offer because he “liked his attitude”.

“He was always positive. I thought, ’I should help this guy’. People have asked me what the thought process was behind it. I just thought it was the right thing to do,” he said at the time.

Tributes have begun to pour in for the with Australian football legend Slater describing his death as a tragedy.

“He was a very good player, I played against him a few times when he was with the Brisbane Strikers,” Slater told The Daily Telegraph.

“He was a big guy, uncompromising, he had a very good career and probably a highlight for him was his time in Belgium (where he played for Mouscron and Gent from 2003 to 2007.”

Slater also described Laybutt as an “extremely courageous person” for being open about his sexuality.

Former Socceroos star Luke Wilkshire took to Instagram to commemorate his passing.

“We all need to be better. Sadly, players are easily forgotten,” he wrote. “Rest in peace Laybs.”

Football Australia also paid tribute, describing Laybutt as someone who “always played with his heart on his sleeve”.

“The former AIS graduate was known as one of the toughest defenders in the league and always played with his heart on his sleeve,” the organisation wrote on social media.

“Football NSW wishes to send its deepest condolences to the Laybutt family. May he rest in heavenly peace.”

A report is currently being prepared for the coroner but the circumstances of Laybutt’s death are not being treated as suspicious.

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