Lions say autopsy found Hyron Andrews died of aortic dissection

The Lions said an autopsy by French authorities found that lock Hyron Andrews died from an aortic dissection, most likely involving an aortic aneurysm. The 31-year-old died in France before the team’s Champions Cup match against La Rochelle, and the Lions announced the findings on behalf of his family. French authorities described the cause as a tear in the aorta due to natural causes, which led to a significant accumulation of blood within the sac surrounding the heart, according to the Lions’ statement. The reports relay the authorities’ findings through the team; the autopsy report itself was not included. The Lions said French authorities retained Andrews’s body while arrangements began to return it to South Africa. The team said no timeline for the repatriation had been determined and that it would provide further information in consultation with the family. The family asked for privacy and patience during the process. Andrews died while the Lions were in France to play La Rochelle in the Investec Champions Cup. The Lions played the fixture, losing 31-14. Players observed a moment of silence before kickoff, and captain Francke Horn placed Andrews’s No. 5 jersey on the...