Hyron Andrews’s American wife, Maighlin, has broken her silence following his shock death last Friday. Her emotional comments come as the Lions player’s cause of death has been officially released.

The couple wed in 2022 and have welcomed two sons since.

HYRON ANDREWS’S WIFE BREAKS SILENCE

On her Facebook account, Hyron Andrews’s wife, Maighlin, posted a tribute to the late Lions player who collapsed and died last Friday in France ahead of the team’s game against La Rochelle.

Maighlin, a US citizen, shared: “I’m not sure if there will ever be enough words to describe how much you mean to me, our boys, and your family, friends, and teammates all over the world. You were the absolute BEST father, and they were your everything. I know your proudest achievement was our family.

“I’m so so grateful that we got to have you for the time we did, though the pain of having our time cut short is unlike anything I thought was possible. We had so many plans, so much life left to live, and so many things to experience. I feel so blessed for all we got to do together in our short time.

Maighlin recalled meeting Hyron Andrews in Durban a decade ago, when he was playing for the Sharks, and she was studying in South Africa as part of a university exchange programme.

The couple would endure a six-year-long distance relationship before finally getting engaged in Ireland in 2021.

Maighlin moved to Durban in 2022, and the couple wed in Michigan in the US the following year.

They then briefly moved to England, where Hyron played for the Sale Sharks, before returning to South Africa for the last few months playing for the Lions.

Maighlin went on to praise her late husband for his kindness and compassion, even to strangers.

She added, “I pray that God guides us through this unimaginable time.

“I pray that I can raise these boys to be good men like you. I pray that you passed peacefully and knew how much you were adored, and your final thoughts were of your family.  I pray that you always look over us and protect us.

“The devastation is beyond words, but the overwhelming love, support, and kindness we have received is incredible! I could write a million words and post a thousand pictures, but it would never be enough. I love you, I miss you. I’m lost without you. Rest easy, my love”.

CAUSE OF DEATH REVEALED 

On Wednesday, 21 October, the Lions announced Hyron Andrews’ cause of death following an autopsy conducted by French authorities. 

According to the report, the 31-year-old’s death was caused by an aortic dissection. Thi dissection most likely occurred on an aortic aneurysm.

French authorities described the medical incident as “a tear in the aorta, due to natural causes, which led to a significant accumulation of blood within the sac surrounding the heart.”

An official statement regarding the cause of Hyron’s passing has been released.https://t.co/x1YrgqHwWT pic.twitter.com/P7wspTie63

— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) October 21, 2026