Kidman family grieving at Sydney home

Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman and her family, in shock and grieving over the sudden death of her father, are gathering in their family home in Sydney.

Dr Antony Kidman, a renowned clinical psychologist in his 70s, died in Singapore last Friday, apparently following a heart attack after his morning exercise at The Tanglin Club. He had collapsed at The Wheelhouse restaurant at the Stevens Road club.

The Kidman family has yet to make an official statement, but Ms Kidman's publicist and friend Leslee Dart told entertainment magazine Us Weekly: "She appreciates the outpouring of support and kindly requests privacy during this very difficult time."

The 47-year-old's husband, country star Keith Urban, postponed a concert to be by his wife's side.

"I'm so very sorry that I cannot perform this weekend," he posted on his Facebook page yesterday.

"We are in a deep state of grief at the passing of Nic's father and are heading to Australia to be with family. We want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for their love, prayers and support through this devastating loss."

Ms Kidman's younger sister, Antonia, 44, has already arrived at the family's Greenwich home to be with their mother Janelle, according to the Daily Mail Australia news website. She arrived yesterday morning from Singapore with two young girls, believed to be her daughters.

Dr Kidman, director of the Health Psychology Unit at the University of Technology Sydney, was reportedly in Singapore to visit Ms Antonia Kidman, who lives here with her husband Mr Craig Marran and their six children.

Dr Kidman was pronounced dead at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Mr Marran was at the Singapore General Hospital mortuary yesterday morning, but declined to speak to reporters.

Mr Marran, who is a managing director at Scotiabank here, arrived alone shortly after 8am in a black Honda. He stayed at the mortuary for about 21/2 hours, and was seen speaking to police officers and undertakers from funeral services firm Singapore Casket.

Dr Kidman, who was awarded an Order of Australia in 2005 for his contributions to clinical psychology, was believed to be staying at one of the 16 suites at the 149-year-old Tanglin club, as Mr Marran is a member there.

The club did not respond to media queries.

Police are investigating the case of unnatural death.

This article was first published on Sep 14, 2014.
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