A senior coroner probing the loss of life of former NHL and Nottingham Panthers participant Adam Johnson has suspended her investigation as police enquiries proceed.
Johnson, 29, died after being reduce within the neck by a skate throughout a Problem Cup match in opposition to the Sheffield Steelers on October 28, with the Nottingham Panthers labelling it as a “freak accident”.
South Yorkshire Police (SYP) opened an investigation and a person was arrested in November on suspicion of manslaughter following Johnson’s loss of life. He has since been bailed.
Tanyka Rawden, a senior coroner at Sheffield Coroner’s Court docket, has determined to droop her examination of the proof till July 26, though it will likely be resumed earlier than then if South Yorkshire Police (SYP) concludes their investigation and the person just isn’t charged.
Rawden held a desktop evaluate — in non-public — of the progress of the investigation on January 26.
“HM Senior Coroner has reviewed the progress of the investigation into the loss of life of Adam Johnson,” a press release learn.
“Because the opening of the inquest on November 3 2023, detectives from South Yorkshire Police have arrested and questioned a person on suspicion of manslaughter.
“The suspect has been launched on police bail whereas the investigation continues.
“In mild of the actual fact an individual could also be charged with a murder offence involving the loss of life of the deceased, HM Senior Coroner has suspended her investigation into Mr Johnson’s loss of life underneath Paragraph 1(2)(a) of Schedule 1 to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.
“If South Yorkshire Police decide earlier than July 26 2024 that no individual shall be charged with a murder offence involving the loss of life of the deceased, the coroner will resume her investigation upon receiving notification of that call.”
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On November 14, SYP detective chief superintendent Becs Horsfall had make clear some element as to the precise nature of the pressure’s enquiries.
“Our investigation launched instantly following this tragedy and we now have been finishing up in depth enquiries ever since to piece collectively the occasions that led to the lack of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances,” she stated, in a press release revealed on the SYP web site.
“We’ve been chatting with extremely specialised consultants of their area to help in our enquiries and proceed to work carefully with the well being and security division at Sheffield Metropolis Council, which is supporting our ongoing investigation.
“Adam’s loss of life has despatched shockwaves by means of many communities, from residents right here to ice hockey followers internationally.”
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‘A loving day and a loving evening’ in Nottingham as Adam Johnson’s team-mates return to the ice
(Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures)
