Adam Johnson death: Man arrested, bailed 5 times as justice delayed in "really unusual case"

By Ankit Kumar

Modified Oct 27, 2024 19:44 GMT

Adam Johnson, a Nottingham Panthers ice hockey player, who previously played for Pittsburgh Penguins, died on October 28, 2023. He was killed during a match against the Sheffield Steelers when a skate cut his neck.

His death shocked the ice hockey community and led to changes in safety measures, especially about neck guards.

The legal case surrounding his death has not made much progress though. A man was arrested on November 14, 2023, on suspicion of manslaughter, but has not been charged. Since then, his bail has been extended five times by South Yorkshire Police. His current bail extends till November 11, 2024.

After the initial arrest, the man was released on bail and had to stay in the UK. Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall said the police were consulting experts to help with the investigation.

It is rare for police to get involved in sports incidents. Experts believe the investigation is complicated. They need clear evidence to determine if the incident involved recklessness. The police are gathering opinions from ice hockey experts, which can take time.

“It’s a really unusual case in just about every aspect,” Mark Jones, a sports law professor at Manchester Metropolitan University, said to The Athletic. “The difficulty here is trying to actually find anything that could prove this beyond reasonable doubt."

After the investigation, the police will decide whether to send the evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The CPS will determine if there is enough evidence to charge the man.

There is no set timeline for this case. The situation remains complex, with no clear resolution in sight.

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Fans mourn Nottingham Panthers star Adam Johnson's death

A year after Adam Johnson's death, fans and his former team, the Nottingham Panthers, honored him. In the days leading up to the anniversary, hundreds of Panthers fans laid flowers and left messages by a plaque for Johnson outside the Motorpoint Arena.

Fans wore Johnson’s number 47 jerseys and carried flowers as they arrived at the arena for a game against the Manchester Storm.

The mood in Bolero Square was calm as they paid their respects. Before the game, a moment of applause lasting 47 seconds took place to honor Adam Johnson.

Panthers wrote on their official X handle:

"47 seconds for our #47 💛"

The Sheffield Steelers, the team he was playing against when he died, also paid tributes during their game against the Cardiff Devils.

The Nottingham Panthers announced that Adam Johnson’s jersey number 47 would be retired. A special ceremony is planned for December 14.