An ex-Rugby player died of a heart attack while brutally assaulting his girlfriend at a hotel in Italy last month.
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Jennie Platt,44, was rushed to a local hospital and underwent three operations after her boyfriend, Ricky Bibey,40, assaulted her on July 16 at the Hotel Continentale in Florence. According to the Daily Mail, the physical altercation began after a night of drinking, but Bibey died of a heart attack during the domestic assault. Moments later, Platt ran out of the hotel room covered in blood and screamed ‘help’ me after Bibey’s death. A close friend told the outlet that she is reportedly devastated by the situation and trying to cope with what happened to her.
‘Jennie is devastated. She is the victim of a shocking and violent attack in the hotel room at the hands of the man she had a long-term relationship with. She is a strong woman who runs a successful business and is desperately trying to come to terms with what has happened to her, and Ricky’s actions before his death.’
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The friend said the couple had been together for three years and went to Florence for a supposed health break at a spa. However, Bibey reportedly suffered mental health issues within the past six months.
‘He had been in and out of various centres, and this trip was to try and get him back on track – but it ended in tragedy. They had gone out for the evening and enjoyed being in Florence, which as everyone knows is a beautiful city, taking in the famous sights such as the Ponte Vecchio and Michelangelo’s David.’
Platt suffered serious injuries after the attack, which included an injury to her eye socket. and temporary confinement to a wheelchair. She was recently discharged from the hospital after her surgeries.
‘It will be difficult for people to hear as Ricky was well-liked and respected in the rugby league fraternity, but Jennie is lucky to be with us after the attack. She is seeking answers and hopes the official investigation will provide those. She has suffered several serious injuries, including one to her eye socket which very worrying. She is in a wheelchair currently as she recovers from the assault. She was discharged from hospital some days ago and has been staying in a different part of the city. Although travelling home gives some logistical challenges, it is felt being at home is the best place for her. Her family are in the north west and she has many friends who will be supporting her during her recovery.
Bibey’s autopsy revealed that he died from a heart attack and police said he’s taken cocaine and alcohol, which could’ve contributed to his death. The couple is from Manchester, England, and worked as real estate agents. Her lawyer, Stefano Goldstein, told the outlet that she’s been cooperating with police and will need medical care in England.