Ex-British rugby star found dead in Italy hotel after drug-fuelled fight with girlfriend

Former rugby league player Ricky Bibey was found dead in a luxury hotel room in Florence, Italy, after a violent confrontation with his partner, an inquest in the UK has heard.Bibey, who played for Wigan Warriors, Leigh Centurions, St Helens and Wakefield Trinity during his career, had travelled to Tuscany with his on-and-off partner Jennie Platt in July 2022 in an attempt to revive their troubled relationship.The couple checked into the four-star Hotel Continentale 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.

Partner suffered severe injuries during hotel room attack

Giving evidence remotely, Platt told the inquest that Bibey’s behaviour 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 attempted to sleep separately. According to her testimony, the situation escalated into a violent struggle.“It was like it wasn’t him,” Platt told the court, describing Bibey’s appearance as having “glazed eyes” and saying he looked “like a demon.”She said she repeatedly told him she was frightened and tried to escape, but was unable to get away. During the assault, she fought back before eventually losing consciousness.The attack left her with life-changing injuries, requiring intensive care treatment and multiple surgeries.

Bibey found dead after partner regained consciousness

Platt told the court that when she regained consciousness on the bathroom floor, she discovered Bibey unresponsive with a ligature around his neck. She attempted CPR before seeking help from nearby hotel guests and staff.Emergency responders later found Bibey’s body on the floor of the hotel room.

Death ruled as neck compression

Post-mortem examinations conducted in both Italy and the UK concluded that Bibey died from “neck compression.”Investigators 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 inconsistent with her having inflicted fatal force on Bibey.Detectives concluded she was physically incapable of causing the injuries that led to his death.The inquest heard that while evidence suggested Bibey inflicted the fatal neck compression on himself, it has not been established whether he intended to take his own life.Struggles with addiction and mental healthThe hearing was told that Bibey had battled mental health issues and substance addiction following his retirement from professional rugby.Despite multiple stints in rehabilitation facilities, including treatment funded by family members, he reportedly suffered repeated relapses.Platt described him as feeling “lost” and said drug use often became a coping mechanism during periods of emotional distress.Successful rugby career cut shortBorn near Wigan in Greater Manchester, Bibey made his professional debut in 2001 and enjoyed a successful rugby league career, winning the Challenge Cup twice and earning international appearances for England.His playing career ended prematurely in 2012 because of an Achilles tendon injury. After retirement, he ran a window-cleaning business and managed a property portfolio.Leigh Centurions later paid tribute to the former prop, describing him as a popular figure within the sport who died while on holiday in Italy.