Ricky Hatton’s cause of death to be made public as friend shares what he found at scene
The British boxing legend was laid to rest in a funeral service at Manchester Cathedral on Friday, following his death at the age of 46
The circumstances around Hatton’s death are to be made public
The circumstances around the death of Ricky Hatton are set to be made public in a matter of days with a first inquest hearing into his tragic passing due to take place next week. The circumstances around the death of Ricky Hatton are set to be made public in a matter of days with a first inquest hearing into his tragic passing due to take place next week.
The British boxing icon was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester on Sunday, September 14, less than a month before what would have been his 47th birthday. The tragic news sent shockwaves across the world of sport, with tributes pouring in from some of boxing’s biggest names.
He was laid to rest on Friday, with thousands of people lining the streets of Manchester ahead of his funeral service. Famous faces including Tyson Fury, Liam Gallagher, Wayne and Coleen Rooney and Hatton’s former girlfriend Claire Sweeney were all in attendance.
The former world champion’s cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, but some of the circumstances around his death are now set to be heard after police – who do not believe his death to be suspicious – referred the case to the coroner.
An inquest opening has now been formally listed, with the hearing due to take place at South Manchester Coroners’ Court in Stockport at 9am on Thursday, October 16. The short, administrative hearing will be held before the area’s senior coroner Alison Mutch.
Inquest openings usually involve evidence being heard about the identity of the person who has died, as well as the brief circumstances surrounding their death. The coroner then decides if a full inquest needs to take place, with dates for any required future hearings set.
It comes after Hatton’s friend and manager Paul Speak recalled finding the former boxer’s body at his Manchester home, as he revealed “the truth” about what happened to him.
Speak, who had come to Hatton’s house to take him to the airport for a flight to Dubai, told Boxing News: “The lights weren’t on, which I thought was strange.
“I thought he’d overslept, but it’s not unusual. People do oversleep. So, I went inside – I have a key – shouting, ‘Rick, Rick, wake up! I heard music coming from upstairs, so I went upstairs… I took a look at him… I had to take some time to process it.
“I was in a state of shock and confusion and loss and many more emotions,” he added. “Then I called the police and the ambulance. But I firmly believe he didn’t intend to do it. It’s for the coroner to determine, but he had it all to live for.”
Maintaining that Hatton had been “in a really good place” before his sudden death, Speak continued: “”He’d arranged to take his daughters to see Oasis next week. He was planning to go to Thailand for the WBC convention and a holiday after his fight.
“He’d just booked a flight to Tenerife for Christmas. I want to get the truth out, otherwise people will just speculate.”
Hatton’s funeral saw his children remember their late father in a series of heartbreaking eulogies, with his 13-year-old daughter Millie asking him: “Why didn’t you reach out?”
Delivering a tribute in front of a packed Manchester Cathedral, she is reported to have said: “Why did you feel that way? Why didn’t you reach out about how you felt?
“I can’t help but think about how you will never walk me down the aisle, how you will never meet my children and your grandchildren, how you won’t be here to see me leave school or even see me grow into an adult.
“I genuinely hope you don’t ever think you have let me down, because I would never think that. I love and miss you unconditionally.”
Useful numbers for dealing with your mental health
There’s help available if you need it:
Mind Cymru infoline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. To contact them call 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (in the UK and Republic of Ireland this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
C.A.L.L. (Community Advice & Listening Line) offers emotional support and information/literature on mental health and related matters to the people of Wales and can be contacted on 0800 132 737 or through the website.
The NHS offers help and advice through its 111 service.
