Matt Wright's secret health battle revealed after TV star's death

A federal judge's scathing intervention has sparked a major development in the legal battle over a horror airboat crash at one of Outback Wrangler Matt Wright's tourism ventures.

Justice Michael Lee of the Federal Court of Australia demanded to know why victims of the same 2023 accident were fighting in three different courts rather than pursuing a class action.

"There's a whole series of people affected by this accident."

"Why it's not in a class action is beyond me," he declared.

"Why should three superior courts be dealing with similar matters?"

The civil cases stem from an airboat tour that ended in disaster when a vessel carrying 13 tourists slammed into a tree in crocodile-infested waters south-west of Darwin.

Passengers were left seriously injured and traumatised.

At the last hearing in September, Justice Lee first raised the issue.

On Thursday, he immediately returned to it, asking lawyers what steps had been taken to "rationalise" litigation spread across the Federal Court and the Supreme Courts of Victoria and the Northern Territory.

Barrister Timothy Smartt, representing eight applicants in the Federal Court, revealed that an application had already been made to transfer the Victorian proceedings.

"One of the applicants in the other superior court has filed a cross-vesting application, and I understand that the respondents in this application will consent to it," he said.

"So that will come to here."

Mr Smartt said lawyers had also spoken to applicants in the NT Supreme Court.

"They're seriously considering it."

"I can't predict what they'll do, but I think they'll come," he said.

Amanda Bond, appearing for Mr Wright, his wife Kaia and Top End Safari Camp, confirmed a summons had been filed in the Victorian Supreme Court proceedings and anticipated it would be heard within three weeks.

The developments follow mediation last Friday that failed to resolve the dispute over the crash at the Wrights' Top End Safari Camp.

In the Federal Court, Ryan and Philippa Payne and their two children, and Scott and Bianca McFarland are among the applicants.

Matt Wright died unexpectedly in his sleep on October 30, 2026, while visiting Los Angeles.

He was 52.

His family later revealed he had died "peacefully in his sleep," describing his death as "sudden."

Page Six has since learned that those close to the late talk show producer knew he suffered from "heart problems" prior to his passing.

An official cause of death has not been revealed.

Wright was the longtime executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, working alongside Ellen DeGeneres for 16 years until her daytime talk show ended in 2022.

He also worked for "The View," "The Drew Barrymore Show" and "The Jennifer Hudson Show."

Wright visited Hudson on set just hours before his death.

Ellen DeGeneres paid tribute to Wright in an emotional Instagram video on Monday, recalling his humour and the important role he played behind the scenes of her long-running programme.

"God, he was an amazing guy," Ellen said.

"He made me laugh, he would surprise me with things he did all the time."

"He was smart, he was kind… I mean, everyone loved him."

"I loved him."

"And it's just shocking, it's shocking."

Ellen also revealed she and Matt had been preparing to collaborate on another project before his death, although she did not disclose details of the planned production.

The comedian spoke about Matt's friendship with Stephen "tWitch" Boss, the former DJ and executive producer of her show, who died by suicide aged 40 in December 2022.

Wright's family set up a GoFundMe to raise money to return his body to New York and cover funeral expenses.

Ellen contributed $5,000 to the appeal.

The donation drew backlash on social media, with critics noting her estimated net worth.

"5k from an almost billionaire…….how generous…….," a social media user posted on Twitter.

"Wow, 0.001% of her net worth! How generous!" another added.

According to a source on set, Wright's loved ones wish his former boss had contributed a greater amount.

"People who knew him do wish Ellen was doing more," the source said.

By Wednesday, the appeal had raised more than $94,000.

The campaign was set up because Wright and his husband, Justin Fusella, were both laid off from their jobs earlier this summer.

The GoFundMe statement read: "If Matt has ever made you laugh, said an encouraging word right when you needed it, or ordered one too many appetizers for the enjoyment of the whole table, now is the time to repay the favour."