AN Atherton man who drowned in a swimming pool while holidaying in Bahrain has been remembered as a talented and much-loved free spirit.
Alex Liebrich, 22, was visiting his older brother Peter in the capital of Manama during a trip to celebrate graduating from university when he drowned.
His mother, Sabine Liebrich, said he had been swimming alone in a pool at the apartment complex about 3.30pm.
She said police had confirmed the death was not suspicious and the family was now working to have his body returned to the Walsh River, where she lives with her husband Norbert, so they can give him a proper burial.
Ms Liebrich described her youngest son as a “free spirit” and an inspiration to his family and friends.
“He had a very sunny disposition and was always cheery and happy,” she told The Cairns Post.
“Everybody remembered him even if they had only met him for 30 minutes.
“He lived in the now and he was really good at just inspiring people to strive to fulfil their dreams.”
Alex had set out on a world trip in January to celebrate the end of his civil engineering degree, which he completed at the University of Melbourne.
Before his death he had been preparing to leave Bahrain to visit Georgia and Turkey before travelling to Germany for the October wedding of another brother, Felix.
Atherton State High School principal Tony Whybird, who also taught Alex’s brothers at Herberton State School, said his loss had been felt deeply in the school community.
“He was a popular, well-respected happy young man who came from a loving family,” he said.
“He had a bright future ahead of him.”
Mr Whybird said Alex would be remembered in the community as a “happy, fit, wonderful and fun-loving kid”.
“His loss will be deeply felt through the entire Atherton school community,” he said.
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