The husband of an Australian TV presenter who took her own life following a mental health battle has tragically died in a suspected self-harm incident, leaving their three children orphaned.
Erin Jayne Plummer, a host on morning talk show Studio 10, died by suicide in 2022, leaving behind her heartbroken husband and their three daughters, who were described as ‘mini-me’s’ of the popular presenter.
Alan Plummer, 49, was found dead on Sunday in Freshwater on Sydney’s northern beaches, with a source familiar with the situation describing his death as ‘tragic’.
In a statement, a NSW Police Force spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner regarding the death of a 49-year-old man at Freshwater on Sunday.’
The tragedy comes just two months after Mr Plummer sold the family’s four-bedroom Freshwater home, which they had owned for more than two decades, in a private settlement pre-auction.
The property, which was purchased by the Plummers for $675,000 in 2002, was initially listed for sale in March this year. Alan was the former director of a now-defunct company called Shine VIP Tours Australia PTY LTD. No further details on his death are available at this time.
Alan and Erin Jayne Plummer are pictured on their wedding day
Alan’s death leaves the couple’s three daughters orphaned
Erin was thrust into the spotlight at a young age when she was scouted at Sydney’s Manly Beach and cast in a tourism campaign that aired on NBC in America
Erin was just 42 when she died following mental health difficulties, with her friends saying at the time that they wished they could have done more to ‘help carry the weight of her pain’.
She was a doting mother and ‘loved her girls boundlessly’, friends said, but struggled during the Covid pandemic and had not been her ‘bouncy, energetic self’ in the weeks before her death.
Erin’s father Peter described her daughters as her ‘little mini versions of her’, and speaking at her funeral, the presenter’s eldest child shared her heartache at losing her beloved mother.
‘Each day that passes I still don’t believe that she’s gone,’ the 15-year-old said.
‘That a family of three girls will grow up without our mum. This is the thought I can’t seem to get over.’
Following her death, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help the Plummer family, and raised more than $28,000
Erin Jayne Plummer was a much-loved host of Studio 10 and was famous for her roles on aerobics and advertorial TV shows
‘Mum was loved by everyone. She was selfless and gave her everything to take my sisters and I to 40 activities each week.
‘She brought so much light to the world that we didn’t realise her heart was in so much pain.’
The teenager concluded the touching tribute: ‘Mum, I hope heaven treats you better than we ever could. She’s not ours anymore but we are hers forever.’
Erin’s youngest daughter also spoke, telling those gathered, ‘My mum was the best person ever. I will always love you dearly mum.’
‘I can’t say much because she was so awesome and amazing. You were the key of the whole galaxy and world and all of the country to me.’
‘My favourite three things I liked doing with mum was going on a morning walk, having lots of hugs and kisses and cooking because once we were cooking and I spilt flour all over the table and I didn’t get in trouble.’
‘Me and my mum are such a great team. Her beautiful eyes shimmering in the sun was always so cool.’
‘I will never ever forget about my mum. I love her so much that I am even crying at my school.’
The Studio 10 and TVSN infomercial host took her own life after a mental health battle, friends said
Following her death, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help the Plummer family with hiring a gardener and housekeeper to ‘keep the household running’ raised almost $28,000.
Neighbours also rallied around the family, cooking their meals and bringing them food in the wake of Erin’s death.
During her career hosting advertorials, Erin appeared on Studio 10, TVSN, Mornings with Kerri-Anne and The Morning Show, and earned the nickname ‘The Danoz Girl’.
She was also a presenter for Aerobics Oz Style for six years. The instructional aerobics TV series, which aired from 1982 to 2005, had a global audience of 40million people at its peak and was broadcast in more than 80 countries.
During her career hosting advertorials, Erin appeared on Studio 10, TVSN, Mornings with Kerri-Anne and The Morning Show, and earned the nickname ‘The Danoz Girl’
In addition to her TV career, Erin was an accomplished synchronised swimmer who represented Australia at three world championships and won 11 national titles.
Erin was thrust into the spotlight at a young age when she was scouted at Sydney’s Manly Beach and cast in a tourism campaign that aired on NBC in America.
But it was her role as a TV presenter for which she was best known. Over the years, she promoted everything from massage chairs and workout programs to slimming jeans and steam mops.
When she wasn’t in front of the camera, Erin also did countless voice-overs for TV.
UK: For help and support, call the Samaritans for free from a UK phone, completely anonymously, on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org
AU: For confidential support 24/7 call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond 1300 22 4636
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
