Coroner determines Ricky Hatton did not intend to end his own life.
During the inquest into his death, it was revealed that former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton had been optimistic about the future, and there was no indication that he intended to take his own life.
The 46-year-old was characterized as a loving father who was in good spirits, and despite previous struggles with alcohol and drugs, his family informed Stockport Coroner’s Court that he had been the best he had been “in years.”
On the evening of Friday, September 12 last year, Hatton took his daughters and granddaughter out for a meal at a pub, as stated in court.
He appeared to be in a normal state, and after dropping them off, he mentioned he would see them in a couple of days following a trip to Dubai, where he was scheduled to participate in an exhibition boxing match, according to the court.
However, he did not show up for an engagement on Saturday, and at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, his manager Paul Speak arrived at his residence in Hyde, Greater Manchester, to take him to the airport for his flight to Dubai.
Hatton was discovered unresponsive in the upstairs games room of his home. The inquest determined that the official cause of death was hanging.
Tests indicated that the boxing legend was “well over” the legal drink-drive limit at the time of his passing. Additionally, traces of prior cocaine and cannabis use were detected.
Post-mortem findings revealed some damage to his brain consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition associated with boxing.
Alison Mutch, the senior coroner for South Manchester, informed the court, which was attended by the boxer’s father, son, and ex-partner, the mother of his daughters, that no notes had been discovered from Hatton, and there was no evidence from the police suggesting he was contemplating taking his own life.
In concluding the inquest, she stated: “He had made substantial future plans, and no notes were found indicating he intended to take his own life.
“I have carefully considered all the evidence. When I take everything into account, I cannot be convinced he intended to take his own life.
“Thus, it is not legally possible for me to determine suicide. I have reached a narrative verdict.
“His intentions remain ambiguous as he was under the influence of alcohol, and the neuropathological post-mortem revealed evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is the conclusion I draw.”
Hatton’s son Campbell became emotional at the conclusion of the inquest and was embraced by his grandfather, Ray Hatton, 75.
