Coroner Unable to Determine Intent in Ricky Hatton's Death
A coroner has stated she "cannot be satisfied" that former British boxing world champion Ricky Hatton intended to take his own life, delivering a narrative verdict at Stockport Coroner's Court. The inquest concluded that the official cause of death was hanging, but Hatton's intention remained unclear due to factors including alcohol influence and evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Family Testimony and Final Days
Hatton's family told the court that the 46-year-old veteran boxer "was the best he had been in years" in the lead-up to his death on 14 September. His body was discovered at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, after his manager, Paul Speak, entered the property when Hatton failed to respond. Speak had arrived to escort Hatton to Manchester Airport for a flight to Dubai, where he was scheduled to participate in an exhibition boxing match.
The inquest heard that Hatton was last seen by family members on 12 September, when he took his daughters and granddaughter to a pub for a meal. He appeared normal during this encounter and mentioned plans to see them after returning from Dubai. However, the following day, Hatton did not attend a scheduled engagement, leading to the discovery of his unresponsive state on 14 September.
Substance Use and Health Factors
Postmortem tests revealed that Hatton was "well over" the drink-drive limit at the time of his death, with traces of previous cocaine and cannabis use also detected. The former world champion had been open about his struggles with clinical depression and substance abuse, once describing himself as "like a runaway train" due to his drink and drug use.
Additionally, evidence showed some brain damage identified as CTE, a condition associated with boxing. Senior Coroner Alison Mutch noted that police investigations uncovered no information suggesting Hatton was planning to take his own life, contributing to the uncertain verdict.
Family Statements and Legacy
In a statement to the hearing, Hatton's son Campbell described his father as "extremely well loved and cherished by all of us," adding that Hatton lived life at 110% and had no regrets. The family emphasized that Hatton had made significant future plans, which they believe indicates his death was not premeditated.
However, Campbell acknowledged a decline in Hatton's short-term memory over the past few years, noting issues with repetition and reliance on written reminders. Jennifer Dooley, Hatton's former partner and mother of his daughters, highlighted his dedication as a hands-on father, stating that time with his children brought him the greatest happiness.
The coroner's narrative verdict underscores the complexity of the case, balancing family observations of improvement with the impacts of substance use and boxing-related health conditions.
