Inside Home and Away’s ‘curse’ fears after Dieter Brummer is latest star to die in tragic circumstances

THE family of Home and Away star Dieter Brummer has paid an emotional tribute to the star after he was found dead at his home at the age of 45, saying he had "left a massive hole" in their lives.

As tributes poured in, a Channel 7 spokesperson also added: “Dieter was a much-loved Home and Away cast member…We send our sincere condolences to Dieter’s family and friends during this very difficult time."

Sadly, the TV actor - who starred in the Australian soap as Shane Parrish between 1992 and 1996 - isn't the first person to star on the show to later die in tragic circumstances.

His recent death was devastatingly the latest in a series to befall the cast of the hugely popular Australian soap.

Here, as tributes are paid to Dieter, we also remember the other Summer Bay stars who died too soon…

Ben Unwin - Body found at waterfall

Soap favourite Ben Unwin, who played 'bad boy' Jesse McGregor, was found dead at the bottom of a "cursed" waterfall that has reportedly claimed many lives in 2019.

The 41-year-old's body was discovered at the foot of Minyon Falls - a notorious 300ft deathtrap reportedly responsible for multiple deaths.

New South Wales Police said at the time they were not treating the death as suspicious, but did not say how the popular actor died.

News of the tragedy devastated his former cast members in the soap and his family.

While he had initially auditioned for another role, he ultimately landed the role of Jesse, which was written specifically for him.

Ben first played Jesse in a four-year stint from 1996, then again from 2002 to 2005.

Annalise Braakensiek - Model's mystery death

In 2019, model Annalise Braakensiek was found dead aged 46 in her Sydney apartment after police were called by her worried friends and family.

The star, who had played Lise in Home and Away in 1998, had posted a series of cryptic Instagram posts shortly before her death in January.

In one of her last posts, the troubled actress wrote: "Everything seems to feel twisted and upside down at the moment."

She also posted a message on social media touching on her "challenging year" after  she split from her husband Danny Goldberg.

She left her estate to her family and friends after cutting her estranged husband out of her will.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death, and believed she may have died of an overdose.

Braakensiek was just 16 years old when she was scouted by a photographer on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, and went on to become an international model.

Jessica Falkholt - Horror car crash

Popular Jessica Falkholt, who played Hope Morrison on the soap in 2016, died on January 17, 2018 following a horror car crash.

The 29-year-old fought bravely for days after her life support was turned off on following several operations.

The smash in New South Wales on Boxing Day, also killed her parents Lars, 69, and Vivian, 60, sister Annabelle, 21, and the other driver.

The actress, who played Hope Morrison in the popular Aussie soap, died in St George Hospital.

Her life support was turned off a day after a funeral was held for Annabelle, Lars and Vivian.

Russell Kiefel - Shocking stage collapse

Russell Kiefel, who played Roy O'Neale in Home and Away in the early 1990s, tragically died on November 20, 2016, after collapsing on stage in Australia.

The actor and writer collapsed while performing in a production of 'And I’m The Queen Of Sheba' at Brown’s Mart Theatre in Darwin and died days later.

The 65-year-old was also known for his stint on Neighbours as Russell Brennan throughout 2015.

He was involved in a domestic abuse storyline where Russell had returned to make amends for being abusive while his children were growing up.

In the 90s, Kiefel also wrote scripts for the Australian soap.

Megan Connolly - Reported 'drugs overdose'

Soap favourite Megan Connolly reportedly 'died of a heroin overdose' at a relative's home in New South Wales, according to reports.

Megan had taken over the role of Rebecca Nash, after actress Belinda Emmett, who previously played the character, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Tragically, Belinda lost her battle with cancer aged just 32 in 2006, just a year after marrying TV presenter Rove McManus.

Connolly's film debut was in the 1990s  film The Crossing opposite Russell Crowe.

She later played Tori Hayden in the soap opera Paradise Beach.

She died in 2001 aged just 27.