Ricky Hatton’s Inquest Reveals Cause Of Death

Senior Coroner Alison Mutch concluded the inquest into the death of Ricky Hatton, declining to rule his death a suicide.

While the medical cause of death was confirmed as strangulation by hanging, the coroner stated she “cannot be satisfied” that the 46-year-old intended to end his life, citing a combination of intoxication, a lack of premeditation, and evidence of brain disease.

The coroner noted that police found no suicide note and no evidence of planning. In fact, Hatton was found fully dressed with his bags packed for a flight to Dubai, where he was scheduled to begin training for a December comeback fight. Toxicology reports revealed Hatton was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit at the time of his death. The coroner argued that this level of impairment made it impossible to prove he had the clarity of mind to form a fatal intent. 

The Findings

A neurological post-mortem confirmed that Hatton’s brain showed signs of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). This neurodegenerative disease, linked to repetitive head trauma in boxing, is known to cause impulsive behavior.

“He had made significant future plans and no notes were found indicating he intended to take his own life. I have listened very carefully to all the evidence. When I add everything together, I cannot be satisfied he intended to take his own life. Therefore, it is not possible in law for me to conclude suicide. I have concluded a narrative verdict. His intention remains unclear as he was under the influence of alcohol and the neuropathological post-mortem found evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and that’s the conclusion I draw,” Alison Mutch