An inquest into the death of boxing legend Ricky Hatton has heard that his injuries were 'consistent with hanging' when he was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, last September. The 46-year-old former world champion was discovered unresponsive by his manager, Paul Speak, on the morning of September 14.
Senior coroner Alison Mutch recorded a narrative verdict, stating she could not be satisfied that Hatton intended to take his own life. 'He had made significant future plans and no notes were found indicating he intended to take his own life,' she told Stockport Coroner's Court. 'When I add everything together, I cannot be satisfied he intended to take his own life.'
The court heard that Hatton had been under the influence of alcohol at the time of his death, and a neuropathological post-mortem found evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition associated with repeated head injuries. The coroner noted that his intention 'remains unclear'.
Hatton's son, Campbell, attended the inquest and previously stated his belief that his father's death 'wasn't premeditated'. The family described Hatton as 'the best he had been for years' in the days before his death. He had taken his daughters and granddaughter for a meal on the evening of Friday, September 12, and appeared normal, telling them he would see them after a planned trip to Dubai for an exhibition boxing match.
Coroner Mutch expressed condolences to the family, saying they had 'lost a much-loved family member and are still grieving'. She described Hatton as a man who 'clearly loved his family very much' and noted that his children 'miss him most of all'. The inquest concluded with a narrative verdict, as the evidence did not meet the legal threshold for a suicide conclusion.
