Marcus Casey, a towering figure at The Daily Telegraph across the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, has passed away suddenly from a heart attack in Newtown over the weekend. He was 58.
As reported by The Daily Telegraph, Casey grew up on the outskirts of Byron Bay in what he affectionately called “Struggle Town” and attended Ballina High School. He moved to Sydney in 1984, starting his career at the paper as a copy boy before earning a cadetship, where he learned his craft under the mentorship of the newspaper’s greats.
Casey’s natural talent for journalism was evident early. His fearless coverage of major events, including the Strathfield Massacre, earned him a reputation as one of Sydney’s most formidable reporters.
In the early 1990s, Casey became The Daily Telegraph’s New York correspondent, covering some of the most significant stories of the era, including the Oklahoma City bombing and Bill Clinton’s presidency.
Upon returning to Australia, Casey worked across various sections of the newspaper, including features and entertainment. His sensitive reporting on the death of Michael Hutchence showcased his ability to balance compassion with relentless pursuit of the truth.
As one of the lead writers for Sydney Confidential, Casey cemented himself as a powerhouse in entertainment journalism, breaking stories in television, music, and radio. His deep knowledge of the industry and unmatched contact base enabled him to tackle industry titans like Alan Jones and John Laws and to track the rise of emerging stars, such as Kyle Sandilands.
Former features editor Phil McLean shared his admiration: “When Marcus returned to Sydney, I was intrigued, and a little intimidated thinking he’d be a rival I couldn’t match. But instead, we became the best of mates.”
The Daily Telegraph also credited Casey for his larger-than-life personality, tireless work ethic, and commitment to storytelling, leaving an indelible legacy in Australian journalism.