Brit ex-rugby star Ricky Bibey found dead in £350-a-night Italy hotel room alongside ‘seriously injured woman’
BRIT ex-rugby star Ricky Bibey has been found dead in a £350-a-night Italy hotel room alongside a seriously injured woman.
Cops were called out to their Florence first floor room on Saturday after staff found the former England prop-forward’s body lying on the floor.
A woman, believed to be his partner, was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
Italian media outlet La Nazione reported the dead man was Manchester-born rugby league star Bibey, 40.
His former team Wakefield Trinity has paid tribute to him on Twitter.
They wrote: “Trinity are saddened to hear of the passing of former prop-forward Ricky Bibey, aged 40.
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“Ricky played for Trinity between 2007 and 2009, making 60 appearances.
“We send our condolences to Ricky’s family and friends at this tough time.”
Leigh East, where Bibey started playing as a junior, also sent their respects.
In a tweet, a club spokesperson said: “All at the club are saddened to hear about the death of our former junior Ricky Bibey who passed away on holiday.
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“Ricky played professionally for a number of clubs including Leigh, Wigan, St Helens and Wakefield. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”
Ex-England half-back Chris Thorman tweeted: “RIP Ricky. Thoughts and love to his family.”
Former Wales forward Chris Morley wrote: “Gone to soon Ricky B RIP pal x.”
Rochdale chairman Andy Mazey tweeted: “Terrible news this morning. RIP Ricky and thoughts with Ronny and the Bibey family.”
Bibey represented England and played at local clubs including Wigan Warriors, Leigh Centurions and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
Bibey, who was born in Leigh, Greater Manchester, made his name playing for Wigan Warriors in 2001.
Over a career spanning a decade, Bibey would go on to play for Leigh Centurions, St Helens and Wakefield Trinity.
He also won the Challenge Cup twice.
Cops said they found Bibey’s body in his room next to a 43-year-old woman, who was covered in cuts and bruises.
Staff at the swanky Hotel Continentiale in the heart of Florence called police after the woman was seen walking the corridors covered in blood, according to Firenze Today.
The Brit couple arrived at the hotel on Friday night in “high spirits” and called for help early Saturday morning.
A police source told the Daily Mail: “The man was found with a series of cuts, bruises and other injuries on his body and so was the woman, although she was more seriously hurt and the man appears to have had some sort of seizure.
“There is blood in the room and the forensic teams are working there at the moment while the woman has been taken to hospital for treatment.
“Her current condition is serious but she is stable and her injuries are not life-threatening. We hope to question her at some point in the next few hours.”
Italian outlet La Reppublica claims the woman told staff she saw her 40-year-old partner collapse to the ground in what’s believed to have been a heart attack.
They had arrived at the Continentale in vicolo dell’Oro – which a holiday guide revealed costs £350 a night to stay in – at around 2am in the morning.
It has a rooftop bar and spa and is the spot for “honeymooners and those looking for a romantic weekend”.
A source said: “The woman had raised the alarm after a chambermaid knocked on the door but some of the guests had already called reception to report shouting and banging coming from the room.”
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Local magistrate Ester Nocera has launched an investigation into the death and was present at the scene talking to witnesses.
The Foreign and Commonwealth and Development office said it was in touch with the Italian police.