Former boxing champion Ricky Hatton’s cause of death was determined to be suicide by a coroner at a hearing in England on Thursday.
Details about his death were revealed as part of a formal inquest after Hutton, 46, was found unresponsive by manager Paul Speake on September 14 after failing to attend an event he was scheduled to perform at.
“The preliminary cause of death is hanging,” Manchester South Chief Medical Examiner Alison Much said in a statement (via ESPN) during a brief 10-minute hearing.
Authorities said Hutton’s family had last seen him two days earlier, on September 12, and that he was reportedly in “good spirits.” After missing a scheduled event, Ms Speke turned up at Mr Hutton’s house and drove him to the airport to catch a flight to Dubai.
At the time, Hatton was scheduled to make his comeback in December after last competing in 2012.
Family members said Hatton was in “good shape” before his death, spending time with his children and grandchildren and preparing for his comeback.
Hatton, known as “The Hitman” in the ring, was a beloved figure in the boxing world throughout his career for his aggressive style and entertaining matches. Hatton won titles in two different weight classes and amassed an impressive record before retiring in 2012.
Hatton had a perfect record of 43-0, but suffered his first loss in 2007, when he suffered a knockout loss to Floyd Mayweather. Hatton then had two wins, including a finish over Paulie Malignaggi, and a loss to Manny Pacquiao in 2009.
Oasis singer Liam Gallagher, boxing champion Tyson Fury and soccer star Wayne Rooney all attended Hatton’s funeral in October, while thousands more lined the streets to pay their respects to the late boxing star.