Andrew Paul Hewitt, 52, was found dead in his home in Flint, North Wales, just hours after he allegedly made a racist gesture aimed at a footballer during a local derby
A dad was found dead just hours after allegedly making a racist gesture at a football game, an inquest has heard.
Andrew Paul Hewitt, 52, was found dead in his home in Flint, North Wales, on December 1, with his provisional cause of death given as hanging. Only a few hours earlier, the Chester FC fan had been filmed appearing to make an offensive monkey gesture towards a black player who played for local rivals Warrington Town while their team celebrated a goal. On Tuesday, an inquest opened at County Hall in Denbighshire confirmed emergency services were called to Mr Hewitt’s home following a concern for his safety.
He was pronounced dead at the scene at 1.35am, in what assistant coroner Kate Robertson called an “apparent act of self harm”. A full inquest was adjourned until a later date.
Speaking after Andrew’s death, one neighbour told MailOnline: “We all found out it was Andy who’d been accused of being racist. It doesn’t sound like him. He’s a lovely lad and they are a great family. We’re all stunned that he took his life over this. I feel so sorry for the family.” Another said they had seen the ambulances outside his home before later learning what had happened – and said Mr Hewitt’s partner had been left “devastated” by his death.
A social media post by National League North club Chester FC last week said: “It is with sadness Chester FC has been made aware of the tragic death of the individual involved.” In a previous statement released after the Warrington Town game, the club had said they were “angry and dismayed at an alleged instance of racism” and had “identified the individual in question”, with information due to be shared with the FA and Cheshire Police.
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