Francis Mossman's tragic final posts: Shortland Street star spoke of his anguish during Sydney's lockdown and the loss of his dog weeks before his death aged 33

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By Monique Friedlander For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:32 BST, 16 August 2021 | Updated: 03:35 BST, 16 August 2021

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Francis Mossman's final Instagram posts have resurfaced after the New Zealand actor's tragic death at the age of 33 last week.

Sydney-based Francis, who was known for his roles in Shortland Street and Spartacus: Blood and Sand, had shared several Instagram posts in recent months documenting his struggles during Sydney's Covid lockdown.

On August 4, the handsome star uploaded several photos of himself posing for selfies in bed with his Cavoodle puppy Piper.

Last posts: Francis Mossman's final Instagram posts have resurfaced after the New Zealand actor's tragic death at the age of 33 last week

'Pup isn't loving lockdown...' he wrote in the caption.

A week earlier, he uploaded another photo of himself, this time staring blankly into the camera alongside the caption: 'Me being excited for at least four more weeks of lockdown.'

On July 30, an optimistic-sounding Francis announced he was fully vaccinated against Covid-19 after getting his second Pfizer jab.

Gone too soon: Sydney-based Francis, who was known for his roles in Shortland Street and Spartacus: Blood and Sand, had shared several Instagram posts in recent months documenting his struggles during Sydney's Covid lockdown

'Pup isn't loving lockdown...': On August 4, the handsome star uploaded several photos of himself posing for selfies in bed with his Cavoodle puppy Piper

He shared a photo of himself showing off his post-vaccination Band-Aid, and jokingly captioned the image: 'Fully vaccinated and ready to go to Kmart.'

At the time, retailers such as Kmart and Target were still open to the public.

Frankie had also experienced heartbreak recently following the death of his five-year-old dog Hoff, who was hit by a car in May.

Not thrilled: A week earlier, he uploaded another photo of himself, this time staring blankly into the camera alongside the caption: 'Me being excited for at least four more weeks of lockdown'

At the time, Francis uploaded a collage of photos of himself with his beloved dog, and wrote in the caption: 'Rest in peace, my beautiful baby boy Hoff.'

He went on to describe the horrific circumstances of Hoff's death, before sharing a heartbreaking admission about his own mental health.

'I constantly experience a bit of unhappiness, but knowing I had Hoff gave me so much comfort. I never cry, but the last two days I have been crying uncontrollably,' he wrote.

'Fully vaccinated and ready to go to Kmart': On July 30, an optimistic-sounding Francis announced he was fully vaccinated against Covid-19 after getting his second Pfizer jab

Francis' death was announced on Saturday by several LGBTQ websites, including Queer Screen Australia and Stonewall Hotel.

His cause of death is unknown, but a social media post shared by a family member last week alluded to him 'enduring so much pain'.

Stonewall posted a photo of the actor to its Facebook page, and wrote: 'RIP Frankie Mossman. We miss you and know your smile will light up the sky.'

'I constantly experience a bit of unhappiness': Frankie had also experienced heartbreak recently following the death of his five-year-old dog Hoff, who was hit by a car in May

Loss: His death was announced on Saturday by several LGBTQ websites, including Queer Screen Australia and Stonewall Hotel

Loss: Queer Screen wrote on Facebook, 'Queer Screen was saddened to hear of the passing of actor Frankie Mossman. Moving from Auckland to Sydney in 2012, Frankie was a well-known member of our LGBTIQ+ community, appearing in numerous NZ and Australian productions'

Francis, known to friends as Frankie, had hosted the popular Malebox events at the venue for several years, and appeared on promotional posters for the hotel.

Queer Screen wrote on Facebook: 'Queer Screen was saddened to hear of the passing of actor Frankie Mossman.

'Moving from Auckland to Sydney in 2012, Frankie was a well-known member of our LGBTIQ+ community, appearing in numerous NZ and Australian productions including the Sydney-made gay web series The Horizon.

Tragic: A post was shared to Francis' Instagram account on Friday, presumably by a friend or family member, acknowledging his death. Alongside a photo of Francis as a child, the caption read: 'Who knew this boy would endure so much pain'

Tributes flow: Several high-profile figures offered their condolences, including drag star Courtney Act and television personality Peter Oxford

'Frankie was a great friend of Queer Screen, starring in our MGFF16 trailer and was always an enthusiastic audience member at our festivals. Our sincere condolences to all his friends and family. May he rest in peace.'

A post was shared to Francis' Instagram account on Friday, presumably by a friend or family member, acknowledging his death.

Alongside a photo of Francis as a child, the caption read: 'Who knew this boy would endure so much pain.'

Well-known: He counted a number of celebrities among his friends, including the likes of Guy Sebastian (left) and Adam Lambert

Pals: He was also friendly with American singer Adam Lambert (left)

Footy fan: Frankie recently shared a selfie with NRL footballer Tom Burgess (left)

Several high-profile figures offered their condolences, including drag star Courtney Act, who wrote: 'Oh gosh. Sweet Frankie. I'm so sorry to hear this news.'

Television personality Peter Oxford added: 'I am so sorry to hear you have left us. I was only talking to you this week about going back to NZ.'

'Francis was beautiful person and will always be remembered as a part of the Stonewall family,' Glenn Hansen, Stonewall Hotel's Commercial and Marketing Manager, told Star Observer.

On screen: Francis had a brief role as a courier delivering an eviction notice to Kieran Mitchell (played by Adam Rickitt) on Shortland Street in 2007

'He was well liked by everyone and his smile could light up a room. We will all miss Francis and we would urge everyone to reach out to each other in these tough circumstances.'

Francis was born in New Zealand, where he began his acting career on the popular soap opera Shortland Street in 2007.

He moved to Sydney in 2012, and went on to appear in the Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

Well known: Frankie also had a recurring role in The Horizon from 2013 to 2017, and in Americans in Oz in 2018. Pictured with former Home and Away star Kyle Pryor