Wayne Osmond’s cause of death revealed by brother Merrill who was ‘able to say his goodbyes’ before sudden loss

WAYNE Osmond’s heartbroken brother has opened up about the details surrounding the star singer’s death in an emotional tribute.

Merrill Osmond, who spent decades singing alongside Wayne in their family band The Osmonds, said he was “able to say his goodbyes” before his beloved sibling died on New Year’s Day.

“My brother was a saint before he came into this world, and he will leave as an even greater saint than he came in,” Merrill wrote in a tragic Facebook post.

“I’ve never known a man that had more humility.”

Wayne died peacefully on January 1, surrounded by his wife and children, his family announced Thursday. He was 73 years old.

In his final moments, Wayne was visited by his beloved brother Merrill, and decades of traveling the globe to share their music came to a close.

Merrill relived the sad moment he heard his sibling had fallen ill and revealed that a sudden, massive stroke was behind his death.

“When I learned that my dear brother Wayne had a massive stroke my immediate response was to fall to my knees and pray for him,” Merrill, a lifelong Mormon, said.

The heartbroken brother prayed for “assurance” that Wayne’s mission to share his Christian faith through music had been a success.

After saying some private words, Merrill immediately drove to a hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, and said his goodbyes.

Merrill and Wayne grew close after they rose to fame in the 1960s as a barbershop quartet alongside other brothers, Alan and Jay.

The crew initially started performing to raise money for hearing aids, as some siblings, including Wayne, were born with impairments.

By the time the 1970s rolled around, the brothers had invited several other siblings to join the mix and started performing as a full rock band.

After years of singing and creating an inseparable bond, Merrill proudly remembered his brother as a man who was “quick to forgive” and loved unconditionally.

“His departure from this Earth will be a sad moment for some, but for those who are waiting for him on the other side, there will be a massive celebration beyond anything we can imagine,” Merrill said.

Other than his hearing disabilities, Wayne also suffered through a cancer battle in 1997.

In an interview with Coping, he remembered realizing that something was wrong when he couldn’t play his saxophone without his head “throbbing.”

After he went to the doctor, he discovered a cancerous tumor that was removed in a 17-hour surgery. Six months later, Wayne was miraculously cancer-free.

“My brother Wayne endured much. He gave it his all,” Merrill said.

“His legacy will go down as someone who was not only a genius in his ability to write music, but was able to capture the hearts of millions of people and bring them closer to God.”

Merrill said he would miss his gone-too-soon sibling “tremendously” but felt grateful for the time they had together.

“Until I see him again, know that he was loved,” Merrill said.

Donny Osmond has also paid tribute to his brother.

In a statement shared with his 401k Instagram followers, Donny, 67, said he was “so grateful” to have had the opportunity to visit Wayne in prison before he passed.

“Wayne brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me,” he said.

“He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone.”

Donny added that all of the Osmond siblings were “fortunate” to have Wayne as a brother.

“Even though we are separated in this mortal life, I know that by the grace and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will have the opportunity to be with Wayne for eternity,” he said.