WELLINGTON, NZ. (THECOUNT) –Connecticut native, Ryan Costello, has been found dead in his Auckland hotel room – days after joining the Auckland Tuatara in the Australian Baseball League, according to Monday morning reports.
Costello, a third baseman, died in his sleep apparently of “natural causes,” on Monday morning, team officials said. He was 23.
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Costello, who grew up in Wethersfield, Conn., was an All-Conference and All-State selection from Wethersfield High School, reports NewsTimes.
“The Tuatara express their deepest condolences to Ryan’s family back home in the United States and to the whole Minnesota Twins organization,” the club said in the statement.
The statement said Costello’s teammates were “naturally devastated” by the news. Concerns were raised when Costello failed to report for training Monday morning, days ahead of the Tuatara’s opening game of the 2019-2020 ABL season.
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Geo quick facts: Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, sits near the North Island’s southernmost point on the Cook Strait. A compact city, it encompasses a waterfront promenade, sandy beaches, a working harbour and colourful timber houses on surrounding hills. From Lambton Quay, the iconic red Wellington Cable Car heads to the Wellington Botanic Gardens. Strong winds through the Cook Strait give it the nickname “Windy Wellington,” wikipedia.