Ricky Hatton’s cause of death revealed as family members weep at verdict

Boxing legend Ricky Hatton’s cause of death has officially been confirmed, months after the 46-year-old was found dead at his Manchester home.

The verdict came at an inquest into the star’s death, which opened at Stockport Coroners Court today and was attended by devastated family members, including Hatton’s dad Ray, son Campbell, brother Mathew and the mother of his two daughters, Jennifer Dooley.

His manager and long-term pal Paul Speak, who tragically found him dead after he failed to show up for a planned trip, was also present.

In a series of emotional statements read out in court, Hatton’s mum Carol said “his eyes were sad” the last time they met, adding “the last hug he gave me almost broke my ribs”.

The family also told the inquest they had noticed a decline in Hatton’s short-term memory over the years. This included forgetting conversations, including one had on the Friday evening before he died, the inquest was told.

Senior coroner Alison Mutch returned a narrative verdict, giving Hatton’s medical cause of death as hanging. Ricky’s son Campbell and other family members wept as the findings were returned.

Ms Mutch said she was not satisfied that Hatton had intended to take his own life. The coroner said Ricky was “under the influence of alcohol,” left no note, and that there was also evidence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) – a neurodegenerative disorder that seems to be connected to repetitive head injuries.

Ricky was living alone at his home in Hyde at the time of his death, and had made “significant future plans,” Ms Mutch added.

His body was found in the games room of his house by his manager Paul Speak, the court heard. When he found the body, it was cold. The TV was on and there was a bottle of wine opened.

The court heard that a post mortem found the level of alcohol in Ricky’s system was the equivalent of being twice the legal drink-drive limit. It also found evidence of previous cocaine use and some of cannabis in his system.

Ricky’s family had “lost a much loved family member and are still grieving,” the coroner said.

She said Hatton was a family man at heart who “clearly loved his family very much”. He had “incredible success in his career as a boxer but his family remained the most important thing in his life.” It was “very clear that his family loved him very much”.

She added that his children “miss him most of all” but also for parents “it is a tragedy no parent ever expects to bury their child”. She told Ricky’s dad she was very sorry that the and wife Carol have lost your son.

Ms Mutch said Hatton was looking forward to the future. He was going away with his girls to see him box in Dubai. “He was clearly a man who was looking forwards and making plans,” she said.

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