A coroner has ruled that boxing legend Ricky Hatton, who was found deceased at his home on September 14, 2025, may not have intended to take his own life. The narrative verdict, delivered by Senior South Manchester Coroner Alison Mutch on March 20, 2026, cited Hatton's state of alcohol influence and evidence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease, as key factors. Hatton, aged 46, was discovered by his manager and long-time friend Paul Speak in the games room of his Hyde home when Speak arrived to collect him for a planned trip to Dubai.

The inquest heard that Mr. Hatton was found hanged from a ligature. At the time of his death, he had alcohol in his system, exceeding twice the legal limit for driving. Traces of cocaine and cannabis were also detected, though there was no indication they were consumed immediately before his death. On a pool table, an empty bottle of wine was found, alongside a half-full glass on the bar. The house was secure, with no signs of disturbance, and no suicide note was discovered. Ms. Mutch emphasized that Hatton had made “significant future plans,” including the trip to Dubai and a holiday to Thailand, which he was reportedly looking forward to.

A neurological post-mortem examination, conducted by Pathologist Dr. Neil Papworth, revealed microscopic evidence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disorder thought to be linked to repeated head injuries, at the “milder end of the spectrum.” Dr. Papworth noted that as a boxer, Mr. Hatton had “received repeated blows to his head” throughout his career. While the analysis showed degenerative changes often associated with older individuals and memory loss, Dr. Papworth stated it was