Inquiry begins into Adam Johnson's gruesome death as coroner calls for neck guards

It is over a week since the tragic death of 29-year-old Adam Johnson following a fatal slash on his throat from an opponent’s ice skate. Since then, British police have started an investigation into what occurred.

Following the incident, South Yorkshire Police stayed at the scene of the incident to begin their investigation into what occurred.

Since the incident, there have been some accusations in the media that the incident was a deliberate act from Matt Petgrave, rather than the “tragic accident” it was initially called.

Fox News presenter Jesse Watters described Petgrave as a “dirty player” and even went so far as to call his hit on Johnson “murder”.

Speaking to Fox News, former NHL player Sean Avery was pressed by Watters on his views on the matter. Avery didn’t go as far as Watters, but did say, “Did this kid make a move that was very unorthodox? Do I think he was trying to make contact of some sort? Absolutely. Do I think he woke up and said I'm going to murder somebody today? No.”

Another ex-NHL player, Chris Therien, voiced his opinion on X, saying, “'I was literally appalled and sickened by what I saw. It looked intentional. It was a Kung fu kick. My eyes are not lying tell me I'm wrong.”

South Yorkshire Police stated after the incident occurred that, “due to the complex nature of this tragic and unprecedented incident, it is likely the wider investigation will take some time”.

Nicola Lacey, a legal professor for the London School of Economics told British television show Newsweek, “From what I have read on the news, it seems very unlikely the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) would prosecute”.

In the United Kingdom, criminal charges are brought by the CPS, not by the victims of the crime. The police will work with the CPS to see if there is enough evidence to press charges.

Nicola Lacey continued by saying a prosecution is unlikely, “For manslaughter, you need either gross negligence – a really large departure from normal standards of care such as to justify criminal liability; or an unlawful and dangerous act - the latter only likely if for example there had been a pretty flagrant breach of the sport's rules”.

Jeremy Horder, also from LSE backs his colleagues’ assessment of the scenario, suggesting it would be difficult to prosecute as injuries “caused in the course of an ordinary lawful sporting contest”.

As the legal experts suggest, any proof of intent will be very difficult to prove, especially within the context of a contact sport.

Since the incident, there have been many calls for neck guards to be made mandatory for all players in professional leagues.

The Elite Ice Hockey League, where the Nottingham Panthers play, have chosen not to enforce neck guards for players, but they did release a statement saying they, “strongly encourage” the usage of them going forward.

Elsewhere in Britain, the English Ice Hockey Association Limited is making neck guards mandatory for all levels outside of the EIHL which falls outside their jurisdiction.

Coroner Tanyka Rawden has been investigating the incident intending to prevent future deaths. Her advice is for neck guards to be made mandatory for all levels of the sport.

Rawden stated, “At this stage in my investigation however, I am sufficiently concerned that deaths may occur in the future if neck guards or protectors are not worn. In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action.”

Rawden’s report has been put to Ice Hockey UK and English Ice Hockey Association Limited. These governing bodies have eight weeks (56 days) to respond.