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 Britain has heard.Bibey, who played for Wigan Warriors, Leigh Centurions, St Helens and Wakefield Trinity during his career, traveled to Tuscany with his partner Jenny Platt in July 2022 in an attempt to revive their troubled relationship.The couple checked into the four-star Hotel Continental on July 15 before heading out for the evening. They returned to the hotel early in the morning, reportedly very excited.
Partner suffered serious injuries during attack in hotel room
Giving evidence remotely, Platt told the inquiry that Bibey’s behavior had become increasingly erratic after drinking alcohol and allegedly taking cocaine.She said she talked to him after hearing him snorting drugs in the hotel room and later tried to sleep separately. According to his testimony, the situation escalated into a violent conflict.“It seemed like it wasn’t him,” Platt told the court, describing Bibe’s appearance as having “glaring eyes” and adding that he “looked like a monster.”She said she repeatedly told him she was scared and tried to run away, but was unable to. During the attack, he struggled before eventually falling unconscious.The attack left her with life-changing injuries, requiring intensive care treatment and multiple surgeries.
Bibe was found dead after his partner regained consciousness
Platt told the court that when he regained consciousness on the bathroom floor, he found Bibey unresponsive with a noose around his neck. He attempted CPR before seeking help from nearby hotel guests and staff.Emergency responders later found Bibey’s body on the hotel room floor.
death reigned neck compression
Post-mortem examinations conducted in both Italy and Britain concluded that Bibey died from “neck compression”.Investigators initially treated the case as a possible murder and questioned Platt as a suspect. However, Italian authorities later ruled out his involvement after determining that his injuries were inconsistent with applying lethal force to Bibey.Detectives concluded that she was physically incapable of causing the injuries that led to her death.The inquest heard that although the evidence showed that Bibey had applied fatal pressure to his neck, it had not been established whether he intended to take his own life.Struggles with addiction and mental healthThe hearing was told that Bibbey had struggled with mental health problems and drug addiction following his retirement from professional rugby.Despite several stints in rehabilitation facilities, including treatment funded by family members, he reportedly suffered repeated relapses.Platt described him as feeling “lost” and said that drug use often became a coping mechanism during emotional distress.Successful rugby career cut shortBorn near Wigan in Greater Manchester, Bibbey began his professional career 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 due to an Achilles tendon injury. After retirement, he ran a window-cleaning business and managed a property portfolio.The Leigh Centurions later paid tribute to the former prop, describing him as a popular figure within the game who died while on holiday in Italy.