Former rugby star Ricky Bibey died in a Florence hotel room after a violent cocaine-fueled episode, an inquest heard
Ricky Bibey, a former rugby league star who played for Wigan Warriors, St Helens, and England, died at age 48 in a Hotel Continentale room in Florence, Italy, in 2022. The inquest at Rochdale Coroners' Court heard that Bibey, high on cocaine, beat his on-off girlfriend Jennie Platt unconscious before apparently attempting suicide by hanging. The coroner recorded an open verdict, stating it was not clear he intended to end his own life.
A stellar sporting career cut short by injury
Bibey showed natural talent from a young age at St Philip's CofE primary school in Atherton, excelling in football, swimming, and especially rugby. He signed for Wigan Warriors at 14 and went on to play for Leigh Centurions, St Helens, and Wakefield Trinity, winning two Challenge Cup winners' medals and representing England three times. His career ended abruptly in 2012 due to a severe Achilles injury.
After retirement, Bibey struggled to find purpose. He became a successful entrepreneur with rental properties and a window cleaning business, but behind the scenes he battled depression, alcohol, and drug addiction.
Descent into addiction and mental health struggles
Bibey's GP, Dr. Peter Walsh, told the inquest he had been treated for mental health problems since 2017. He spent at least three periods in residential treatment at Sporting Chance clinic, a charity for athletes founded by Tony Adams. Bibey first contacted the charity in 2017 and attended a 26-day residential program. The death of his brother Barry, also in 2017 at age 40, devastated him.
He returned to Sporting Chance in July 2019, admitting he had relapsed into drugs and alcohol and was seeing sex workers. He disclosed a suicide attempt and underwent therapy but soon disengaged. In 2021 he returned for another stay, admitting to a previous hanging attempt while drunk. He attended again in early 2022 but disengaged from aftercare.
His father Ronald paid for a two-month private rehab at Acquiesce in Bolton from March 2022, where Bibey was described as 'honest, open-minded and willing to learn,' but he relapsed again and only answered two of five follow-up calls.
Final days: a violent attack in Florence
Jennie Platt, owner of Jennie Platt Estates and Lettings, told the inquest she travelled to Italy with Bibey to try to resurrect their three-and-a-half-year relationship. Bibey had been 'really erratic' before the trip and disappeared for days at a time. He showed her a noose in his flat, prompting her to change her mind about not going.
In Florence, Bibey bought prosecco, drank most of it, and kept disappearing to buy drugs. Platt admitted she also took drugs. Back in their room, she heard him snorting cocaine. When she grabbed a duvet to sleep in the bathroom, he 'yanked her out.' She fought back, but when he left and returned, 'it was like it wasn't him' – his eyes were 'glazed' and 'like a demon.' He became agitated and said 'no one is leaving the room tonight.'
Platt said she was 'scrambling to get away' and kicking him, shouting the names of her sons, but he beat her until she lost consciousness. When she came round face down on the bathroom floor, she saw Bibey hanging by a ligature. She managed to remove it, tried to resuscitate him, and screamed for help. Emergency services declared him dead at the scene. Platt suffered 'life-changing injuries' and underwent multiple surgeries.
Inquest findings: open verdict
Pathologist Dr. Charles Wilson conducted a second post-mortem after Bibey's body was repatriated. He recorded cause of death as 'neck compression,' consistent with the Italian autopsy. He noted bruises on scalp, head, neck, limbs, and knuckles, but no ligature marks on the front or back of the neck. Abrasions on the nose suggested cocaine snorting. Toxicology showed cocaine and alcohol in Bibey's system, though cocaine levels 'weren't high.'
Dr. Wilson admitted the pattern of ligature marks was 'a bit perplexing' and didn't suggest self-suspension hanging. Assistant coroner Lisa Judge recorded an open verdict, stating that while Bibey placed the ligature around his own neck, it was not proven on the balance of probabilities that he intended to take his own life.
Judge found that Bibey had been 'floundering' after retirement from rugby, which had provided structure and purpose. Drug and alcohol consumption 'materially affected his personality and judgement.' She accepted Platt's account, noting she had been 'subjected to serious violence' and acted to defend herself. Her injuries were 'not compatible with her being responsible for any act of violence.'
Bibey's father Ronald said his son was 'very much loved and adored' and that he didn't recognise the man who attacked Platt. 'Ricky was very much loved and adored by his family and friends and by others in the community who he helped, loved and supported. We can never put into words just how loved he was and how proud he made us,' he said.
