Tragic news broke Thursday morning just as Mick Fanning was about to enter the water at the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii – his brother had passed away overnight in his sleep.

“This is a private family matter but we can confirm his older brother Peter has passed away,’’ a source confirmed.

A close family friend of the family confirmed the death, saying Peter, 43, was staying at Mick’s Gold Coast home following his recent divorce. It is believed that he had three children.

It has been reported Peter died in his sleep.

RIP.