A senior coroner probing the dying of former NHL and Nottingham Panthers participant Adam Johnson has suspended her investigation as police enquiries proceed.
Johnson, 29, died after being minimize 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 dying. 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 overview — in personal — of the progress of the investigation on January 26.
“HM Senior Coroner has reviewed the progress of the investigation into the dying of Adam Johnson,” a press release learn.
“For the reason that 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 dying of the deceased, HM Senior Coroner has suspended her investigation into Mr Johnson’s dying below 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 particular person can be charged with a murder offence involving the dying 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 drive’s enquiries.
“Our investigation launched instantly following this tragedy and we now have been finishing up intensive enquiries ever since to piece collectively the occasions that led to the lack of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances,” she mentioned, in a press release revealed on the SYP web site.
“We’ve been talking to extremely specialised specialists of their discipline 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 dying has despatched shockwaves by way of many communities, from residents right here to ice hockey followers the world over.”
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(Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos)