Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • streaming
  • Video
Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • streaming
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Entertainment

Home and Away star Sarah Roberts' brother passes away

Rest in peace. - by Madi Spira
  • 24 Oct 2019

In very sad news, Sarah Roberts' older brother, Karl De Abrew, passed away last night after a 15 year battle with brain cancer. 

The beloved Home and Away actress took to Instagram to share the devastating news with 148, 000 of her followers, admitting her brother— who lived in Clontarf, a suburb of Dublin, Ireland— was not only her best friend but the bravest man she'd ever met. 

WATCH: Sarah and James dish on family, love and their marriage 

{title} Play

{title}

{duration}
Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out Play

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out

0:36
Meet the Dancing With The Stars 2019 Cast! Play

Meet the Dancing With The Stars 2019 Cast!

0:56
MKR Amanda confirms the truth about her scary cancer diagnosis Play

MKR Amanda confirms the truth about her scary cancer diagnosis

0:48
Justin Lacko addresses what everyone is thinking Play

Justin Lacko addresses what everyone is thinking

2:36
MAFS Jules tells: How things ended up with me and Justin Play

MAFS Jules tells: How things ended up with me and Justin

0:31
Celine Dion Has Something to Say About These Startling Photos Play

Celine Dion Has Something to Say About These Startling Photos

0:31
WATCH: Cass Thorburn Flirts With a Mystery Man Play

WATCH: Cass Thorburn Flirts With a Mystery Man

0:55
Tom Burgess Baby Shock Play

Tom Burgess Baby Shock

0:34
FBI (Official Trailer) Play

FBI (Official Trailer)

1:00

"Three months ago today he walked me down the aisle and now he is walking with the angels. I'm left with a hole in my heart and 34 years of beautiful memories, growing up together as children into adults," the actress began. 

"You fought the bravest battle, Big Squirt, to the very end and I promise to always live by your standards [and] to remember what you taught me, 'It's all about the journey, not the destination', and 'Have no regrets'.  love you, I cherish you, I salute you. You can rest now, we know you’re dancing up there in the heavens, always watching down on us. Forever all my love, Medium Squirt." 

Hundreds of beautiful comments flooded in with many of her co-stars expressing their condolences and sending their love.  

 

sarahrobertsbrotherdies

"I love you, I cherish you, I salute you."

Instagram

"So sad for you Sare and your precious family. Sending love and prayers to you all and see you soon. God bless you 💙🙏🌈💫🌼," Lynne McGranger wrote. 

"All my love to you ❤️❤️," Courtney Miller wrote with Lana Wilkinson adding, "❤️❤️ Thinking of you." 

"Sarah, we love you and wish we could help take some of this pain away for you. Huge love and thoughts to your family ❤️," her close friend Georgie Parker said. 

Sarahrobertsbrotherdies

"You fought THE BRAVEST battle Big Squirt."

Instagram

Karl's passing was also announced in a death notice yesterday. The heartbreaking statement read: "De Abrew, Karl (late of Clontarf and formerly of Melbourne, Australia) – October 23rd, 2019, peacefully at Beaumont Hospital. Beloved husband of Susana, loving father of Alexander and Aurora, and son of Sharma and Neil.

"Very sadly missed by his wife, children and parents, his brother Rowan, sisters Sarah and Lauren, extended family in Australia, neighbours and friends. Reposing at the Kirwan Funeral Home, Fairview Strand, on Thursday evening from 5pm to 7pm. Removal to Dardistown Crematorium on Friday afternoon for a celebration of Karl's life at 2pm." 

Three months ago, Sarah told WHO she and James Stewart decided to marry in Ireland so her beloved brother— who was too sick to travel overseas— could attend the wedding. The couple tied the knot at Luttrellstown Castle. 

"I wanted it to be a celebration of love and the important thing for us is for our families to come together and for us all to be together and everyone to just have an enjoyable time," she told us. "My brother lives [there]. He's not able to fly at the moment because of health reasons." 

sarahrobertsbrother
Instagram

Less than a month before the wedding, Karl told his Twitter followers that he was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation to treat his "15-year old brain tumour". 

Karl was a successful businessman and worked in the PDF software space. He's also famous for being the founder of Nitro— a company that now has 135 employees and is headquartered in San Francisco.

While he was modest about his achievements, he described himself on Twitter as "a seasoned speaker, moderator, industry commentator, software developer, entrepreneur and a driving force in the early days of the PDF industry." 

Rest in peace. 

  • News
  • Entertainment
Madi Spira
Madi Spira

Subscribe to Who magazine-& save!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Who magazine

Subscribe to Who magazine-& save!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Who magazine

Recommended to you

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out
Watch 0:36

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out

{headline}

{headline}

Sam Frost and Sarah Roberts' tight friendship

Sam Frost and Sarah Roberts' tight friendship

Home And Away’s Jimmy Stewart and Sarah Roberts reveal what they love most about each other

Home And Away’s Jimmy Stewart and Sarah Roberts reveal what they love most about each other

Home and Away couple James Stewart and Sarah Roberts are looking forward to the future

Home and Away couple James Stewart and Sarah Roberts are looking forward to the future

James Stewart confirms new relationship with Sarah Roberts

James Stewart confirms new relationship with Sarah Roberts

{headline}

{headline}

James Stewart goes public with 'Home and Away' co-star

James Stewart goes public with 'Home and Away' co-star

Sam Frost’s engagement hint: “We’ve taken the next step”

Sam Frost’s engagement hint: “We’ve taken the next step”

EXCLUSIVE: Why Samara Weaving thought landing roles would be easy

EXCLUSIVE: Why Samara Weaving thought landing roles would be easy

{headline}

{headline}

Emily Weir reveals: "How I learned to tame my anxiety"

Emily Weir reveals: "How I learned to tame my anxiety"

Sam Frost announces her return to TV after leaving Home and Away

Sam Frost announces her return to TV after leaving Home and Away

Home and Away star Ada Nicodemou on how she learned to love herself

Home and Away star Ada Nicodemou on how she learned to love herself

Aussie acting exports return home for a new Prime Video comedy series

Aussie acting exports return home for a new Prime Video comedy series

From Ramsay St to Hollywood: Eliza Taylor and Bob Morley's love story

From Ramsay St to Hollywood: Eliza Taylor and Bob Morley's love story

Harley Bonner and Natalie Roser’s picture-perfect romance

Harley Bonner and Natalie Roser’s picture-perfect romance

From Home and Away to Hollywood: Tammin Sursok reflects on her "life-changing" career

From Home and Away to Hollywood: Tammin Sursok reflects on her "life-changing" career

Who
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy
Who Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • marie claire
  • Bounty Parents

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Who

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Who magazine-& save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Who magazine