An inquest into the death of former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton has ruled that it is not clear he intended to take his own life, with the coroner citing significant factors including high alcohol levels and brain damage linked to his boxing career.
Inquest Details and Family Testimony
The hearing at Stockport Coroner's Court heard that Hatton, aged 46, was described by his family as a doting father who had been in good spirits and was looking forward to the future. Despite past struggles with alcohol and drugs, his family stated he had been the best "in years" in terms of his well-being.
On the evening of Friday, September 12 last year, Hatton took his daughters and granddaughter out for a meal at a pub, appearing normal and making plans for the days ahead. He told them he would see them after a trip to Dubai, where he was scheduled to participate in an exhibition boxing match.
Discovery and Cause of Death
However, Hatton failed to attend an engagement on Saturday, and at 6:30 am on Sunday morning, his manager Paul Speak arrived at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, to take him to the airport. Hatton was found unresponsive in the upstairs games room of his house. The inquest concluded the official cause of death was hanging.
Tests revealed that Hatton was "well over" the drink-drive limit at the time of his death, and traces of previous cocaine and cannabis use were also detected. Post-mortem evidence further showed damage to his brain identified as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition associated with repeated head trauma in boxing.
Coroner's Verdict and Legal Conclusions
Senior Coroner Alison Mutch, presiding over the court attended by Hatton's father, son, ex-partner, and mother of his daughters, noted that no suicide notes were found, and police investigations uncovered no information suggesting he was planning to take his own life.
In her concluding remarks, Mutch stated: "He had made significant future plans and no notes were found indicating he intended to take his own life. I have listened very carefully to all the evidence. When I add everything together, I cannot be satisfied he intended to take his own life."
She added: "Therefore, it is not possible in law for me to conclude suicide. I have concluded a narrative verdict. His intention remains unclear as he was under the influence of alcohol and the neuropathological post-mortem found evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and that's the conclusion I draw."
Emotional Aftermath
At the conclusion of the inquest, Hatton's son Campbell broke down in tears and was hugged by his grandfather, Ray Hatton, aged 75, highlighting the emotional toll on the family following the tragic event.
