How did Russell Manser die? Son breaks silence as poignant video emerges of TikTok star days before his death

The son of notorious bank robber turned social media celebrity Russell Manser has broken his silence after his father’s sudden death.

It comes as touching video emerged of Ky Manser, 22, telling his father how proud he was of him – just days before he died. 

Russell Manser served 23 years in prison in Northern Territory, Queensland and NSW for bank robberies.

After his release, he turned to TikTok to speak about his trauma as a survivor of sexual abuse and became a go-to media commentator on prison conditions.

Ky opened up about his dad’s death on Sunday, saying he ‘can’t explain the pain’ he’s going through. 

‘RIP dad till we meet again mate,’ he captioned a candid selfie of him with his father.  ‘I’ve just lost my best friend…and I’m trying to stay strong for my little brother.’

‘I’m sorry I haven’t been able to get back to anyone, I’ve been spending time with my family and trying to actually accept this with myself [at the moment].’

Amassing more than 130,000 followers on TikTok, Mr Manser ran the Voice of a Survivor charity to help others who have suffered abuse to find their purpose in life.

Mr Manser regularly posted videos alongside his son in the hopes it would inspire others to open conversations around mental health and support options, especially for men.  

Just last week, Mr Manser shared a touching video where Ky said: ‘Dad, I just want to tell you how proud I am. I know I say it a lot… you’re not just helping me, you’re helping everybody’. 

The father-and-son shared a moving embrace. ‘I love you mate,’ Mr Manser said. ‘That’s the only approval I ever need’. 

‘I don’t need the approval of haters… Haters, their opinion and $5 won’t get you a bus ticket to Bankstown so who gives a f***’. 

Friends of Mr Manser have flooded social media on Sunday, with many expressing their grief about the unexpected death.

Lawyer Andrew Carpenter said he will miss his ‘dear friend’, who he met through his advocacy work.

‘We wanted to change the world. We wanted to save the world. You saved so many lives. You changed so many lives,’ Mr Carpenter said in a tribute posted on Instagram on Sunday night.

‘You were my sounding board when I was struggling with the horrendous topics of abuse.

‘I’ll always love you through the sands of time. As you’ll always be a hero of mine’

‘Rest easy my brother.’

Survivor advocate Harrison James said the ‘survivor community mourns the loss of a dear friend’. 

‘Despite our brief encounters, Russell’s impact was profound,’ Mr James said.

‘He turned his own struggles into a beacon of hope, dedicating himself to supporting survivors of child sexual abuse.

‘His legacy transcends boundaries, offering solace to those battling addiction, crime, and mental illness.

‘Russell’s spirit will forever inspire us to persevere, to embrace transformation, and to stand in solidarity with one another.

‘Rest in power, brother. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and loved ones, especially his son.’

In the latest video, Mr Manser discussed Asian gangs in prison with his followers.