Tributes poured in from across the world of rugby following the sudden tragedy
Super Rugby star Connor Garden-Bachop was “well and happy” before he died suddenly at the age of 25, an inquest into his death has heard.
The Highlanders wing, who represented the Maori All Blacks, passed away at his aunt and uncle’s house in Fendalton, Christchurch, on June 17, 2024, leaving the world of rugby in shock as tributes poured in. At the time, it was reported that Garden-Bachop had died as the result of a “medical event”, with the death not treated as suspicious by police.
Now, following a post-mortem examination, specialist medical reviews and an inquest hearing, a coroner has released their findings into the young rugby star’s death.
JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE Latest news, analysis and much more
The inquest heard that Garden-Bachop had gone to bed “well and happy” on June 16, before being found dead in bed at 5pm the following day.
Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale confirmed that a post-mortem examination had found Garden-Bachop was not injured, nor had he consumed alcohol or drugs prior to his death. However, it did find that he had a mildly dilated heart.
“Death can occur when the heart develops an abnormal heartbeat, then stops,” the coroner explained.
Providing evidence to the coroner, forensic pathologist Dr Leslie Anderson considered the possible involvement of seizures in Garden-Bachop’s death, explaining that he did not have a history of seizures but had suffered concussion during his rugby career.
His most recent concussion occurred in May 2024, a month before his death. However, with no history of seizures, Dr Anderson said one being the sole cause of his death was “less likely”.
While Garden-Bachop’s death was referred for testing to determine any possible genetic causes, medical tests found no abnormalities.
Ultimately, the coroner said that the rugby star died of heart-related natural causes, giving the specific cause of death as “sudden death in the context of a mildly dilated heart”.
Garden-Bachop, the father of twin girls, was the son of former Samoa and New Zealand international Stephen Bachop, while his mother Sue Garden-Bachop played for the women’s national side.
His uncle, Graeme Bachop, played at two World Cups for the All Blacks, while he also represented Japan at the tournament in 1999, while his brother Jackson currently plays in Super Rugby for Moana Pasifika.
In a statement issued on behalf of the family and published by New Zealand media, Jackson said they were glad the coroner’s report was complete.
“On behalf of the family we’d like to thank everyone for the continued love and support in relation to Connor,” he said. “We miss Connor every day, and will continue to try and honour and emulate all that he was in the way we live our lives.”
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings