Ex-MMA star 'not thinking clearly' at time of death

A former mixed martial arts champion, who was described as a 'brilliant father', took his own life, an inquest heard.

- by Richard Hunt

Connor Hitchens, 27, died in Blackpool on the morning of May 16 last year. Blackpool Coroners Court heard that the same morning, Mr Hitchens had had an argument with his former partner, with whom he had a young daughter.

When police were called to the address, in the Fylde village of Clifton at around 6am, their immediate concern was with Mr Hitchens' former partner, who was extremely distressed, and it was noted that Mr Hitchens had fled.

However,, police became aware of the vulnerability of the father-of-one, who was also under the influence of cocaine and alcohol.