Former British rugby star found dead in hotel in Italy
Former rugby league player Ricky Bibby was found dead in a luxury hotel room in Florence, Italy, after a violent confrontation with his partner, a UK inquest has heard.Bibey, who played for Wigan Warriors, Leigh Centurions, St Helens and Wakefield Trinity during his career, traveled to Tuscany with his on-off partner Jenny Platt in July 2022 in a bid to rekindle their turbulent relationship.The couple checked into the four-star Continental Hotel on July 15 before heading out for the evening. They returned to the hotel in the early hours of the morning, reportedly in high spirits.
The accomplice was seriously injured during the attack in the hotel room
Giving evidence remotely to the inquest, Platt said Bibby’s behavior became increasingly erratic after he consumed alcohol and allegedly took cocaine.She said she confronted him after hearing him snorting drugs in their hotel room and later tried to sleep separately.
According to her testimony, the situation developed into a violent conflict.“It was like it wasn’t him,” Platt told the court, describing Bibby’s appearance as having “shiny eyes” and saying he looked “like the devil.”She said she repeatedly told him that she was afraid and tried to run away, but she was unable to escape. During the assault, she resisted before eventually losing consciousness.The attack left her with life-changing injuries, requiring treatment in intensive care and multiple surgeries.
Pepe was found dead after his partner regained consciousness
Platt told the court that when she regained consciousness on the bathroom floor, she discovered Beebe unresponsive with a ligature around his neck. She attempted CPR before seeking help from nearby hotel guests and staff.Emergency responders later found Bibby’s body on the floor of the hotel room.
Death sentence as well Neck pressure
Post-mortem examinations carried out in both Italy and the UK concluded that Pepe died of “neck compression”.Detectives initially treated the case as a possible homicide and questioned Platt as a suspect.
However, Italian authorities later ruled out her involvement after determining that her injuries were not consistent with the use of lethal force on Bibi.Investigators concluded that she was physically incapable of causing the injuries that led to his death.The inquest heard that although evidence suggested Bibi was the one who caused the fatal pressure on his neck, it had not been proven whether he intended to commit suicide.He suffers from addiction and mental healthThe hearing was told that Bibby suffered from mental health problems and drug addiction after retiring from professional rugby.Despite multiple stints in rehabilitation facilities, including family-funded treatment, he reportedly suffered frequent relapses.Platt described him as feeling “lost” and said his drug use often became a coping mechanism during periods of emotional turmoil.A successful rugby career was cut shortBorn near Wigan in Greater Manchester, Bibby began his professional career in 2001 and enjoyed a successful rugby league career, winning two Challenge Cups and making caps for England.His playing career ended prematurely in 2012 due to an Achilles injury. After retirement, he ran a window cleaning business and managed a real estate portfolio.Leigh Centurions later paid tribute to the former prop, describing him as a famous figure in the sport who died while on holiday in Italy.
