July 14, (THEWILL) — Authorities have opened an inquest after the 25-year-old midfielder was found dead in Cape Town, with tributes pouring in across the football world.
South African police have launched an investigation into the death of Bafana Bafana midfielder, Jayden Adams, after the 25-year-old was found dead at a property in Cape Town over the weekend, with authorities yet to determine the cause of his death.
Adams, who recently represented South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was discovered on Saturday morning at a property in the Schotsche Kloof area of Cape Town, according to police.
In a statement issued on Monday, police confirmed that an inquest had been opened following the discovery of the footballer’s body.
“Cape Town Central police registered an inquest for investigation following the discovery of the body of a 25-year-old male on Saturday. Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation”, the statement read.
Authorities added that the body was found at about 11 a.m. local time but declined to provide further details, noting that investigations are ongoing.
The tragic news has shocked South African football, coming barely two weeks after Adams helped Bafana Bafana reach the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history. The midfielder featured in all three of South Africa’s group-stage matches during the tournament but did not play in the team’s 1-0 Round of 32 defeat to co-hosts Canada on June 28.
The player’s father, Juanito Adams, said the family was awaiting the outcome of an autopsy before making funeral arrangements.
“As you all know, it was an untimely death. The family is struggling to process it”, he told South African television station eNCA.
“It won’t be easy to carry on. People say it will become easier, but it won’t. You just learn to live with it.”
South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, also appealed for patience as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding Adams’ death.
McKenzie urged members of the public and the media to avoid speculation, stressing that the family deserved privacy while official investigations continued.
The minister also reflected on Adams’ courage during the World Cup, revealing that the midfielder had played in South Africa’s group-stage draw against the Czech Republic just hours after learning of the death of his grandmother.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the football community since news of his death emerged. Before the World Cup quarterfinal matches between England and Norway and Argentina and Switzerland, players, officials and supporters observed moments of silence in honour of the late midfielder.
Adams had established himself as one of South Africa’s brightest talents in recent years, earning widespread praise for his energetic midfield displays at both club and international level. His performances at the World Cup further enhanced his reputation and made him one of the standout performers in Bafana Bafana’s historic campaign.
With the cause of death still unknown, police have reiterated that investigations remain ongoing. Officials say further information will be released once the inquest and post-mortem examination have been completed.
