WHILE the current crop of Australian Idols paid tribute to him on the show last night, those of the past were united in grief over the shock death of former contestant Levi Kereama.

As the family of the 23-year-old R&B singer mourned his death, those who shared the stage with him during the first series of the reality show also expressed their sadness.

Idol star in fatal hotel plunge

Police are treating Kereama's shock death as suicide after he fell from the balcony of a Brisbane hotel room, but yesterday his distraught family said he was a, "happy, outgoing, lively and loving friend, brother, son, uncle and cousin".

Original Idol winner Guy Sebastian, who is in Queensland performing when told of his friend's death late yesterday, was too devastated to comment when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.

Tribute blog: Remembering a young life lost

Sebastian, who lost his brother-in-law to suicide this year, was understood to be desperately trying to contact and comfort Kereama's family last night.

Yesterday, Australian Idol series one runner-up Shannon Noll said he was "deeply shocked by the news" of Kereama's death.

"My heart goes out to his family," Noll said. Similar sentiments were offered on last night's show by hosts Andrew G and James Mathison, who paid tribute to the entrant's time on the talent show back in 2003.

Police are continuing their investigations into Kereama's death, but said it was being treated as a, "sudden, but non-suspicious death."

Kereama, who performed in his family's band Lethbridge, was found on the ground level of an inner-city Brisbane high rise about 10.30pm on Saturday night, half an hour after Parklife music festival - where he performed - had finished.

Guests told police they saw the young singer plunge to his death from an upper-floor room. The second celebrity suicide in little more than a month, after All Saints actor Mark Priestley plunged to his death from the balcony of a Sydney hotel on August 27, has raised concern for the mental health services for men.

Yesterday Professor Ian Hickie of the Brain and Mind Research Institute called for mental health services to head online to connect with people who suffer from depression.

Eight of the top ten health problems found in young men were related to mental health, he said.

Farewell to Levi Kereama, singer and friend

Hundreds of friends, relatives and fans have
turned out today for the funeral of Australian Idol star Levi Kereama.

Family members including Kereama's brothers and sisters spoke at the funeral at Karawatha in Logan City, Queensland, and fellow idol star Guy Sebastian wiped away tears as he sang Amazing Grace in tribute to his friend.

Sebastian told mourners of the good times he shared with Levi, and how the talented singer was his closest friend on Australian Idol.

An invitation to the funeral urged those "whose lives levi touched in anyway, to help celebrate his life".

The singers body was found outside a Brisbane high rise building on the weekend.

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A HUGE crowd of friends, family members and fans has turned out for the funeral of the Australian Idol star from Logan, Levi Kereama.

Kereama died in a fall from a Brisbane high-rise at the weekend.

Family members including his brothers and sisters spoke at the funeral, and fellow Idol star Guy Sebastian wiped away tears as he sang Amazing Grace in tribute to his friend.


Post your tribute to Levi here.

Sebastian told mourners of the good times he had shared with Kereama, and how the talented singer was his closest friend on Australian Idol.

It was estimated that about 1000 people turned out for the service.

An invitation to the funeral urged those "whose lives Levi touched in anyway, to help celebrate his life".