Football fan who was found dead hours after he was accused of making racist gesture at a black player hanged himself

Thursday, December 12, 2024 - A football fan who was found dead hours after he was accused of making a racist gesture at a black player, hanged himself.

Chester FC supporter, Andrew Paul Hewitt, 52, was found at his home in Flint, North Wales, early on December 1, with a provisional cause of death given as hanging.

Just hours earlier, the HGV driver was spotted on camera apparently performing a gesture towards Warrington Town player Bohan Dixon after a teammate had scored.

An inquest opened at County Hall in Ruthin confirmed emergency services were called to Mr Hewitt's home after concern was expressed for his safety.

Mr Hewitt was pronounced dead at the scene at 1.35am in what assistant coroner Kate Robertson described as an 'apparent act of self-harm', reported Leader Live.

A pathologist's provisional cause of death following a post-mortem examination was hanging, the hearing was told and a full inquest will take place at a later date.

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: 'It's shocking. I saw all the ambulances and then found out what had happened to Andy. His partner is devastated. It's all still raw. It happened all so quickly.'

His sister-in-law Mia Nicholson said on Facebook that it was a 'truly devastating time' for the family, adding that a funeral and burial will take place on December 18.

Objects were also thrown onto the pitch amid ugly scenes at the Cal. Delivery Stadium, home of Warrington Town FC, during the National League North fixture.

Video of the gesture was circulated on social media and discussed among fans, with one posting an image claiming to be of Mr Hewitt in the crowd of 2,296 supporters.

Chester initially said it was 'angry and dismayed at an alleged instance of racism', and would share its video and photographic evidence with Cheshire Police.

The club added: 'Racism has no place in sport or society, and anyone found to have displayed such behaviour will receive an indefinite ban from attending matches.'

Chester also condemned 'the actions of a minority who are unable to behave responsibly' and said the side now faced a Football Association investigation.

But then in a shocking development, the club revealed 'it is with sadness Chester FC has been made aware of the tragic death of the individual involved' and 'the immediate thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and friends.'

The incident happened when Dixon was celebrating his team's opening goal in front of the 900 Chester fans on November 30 after Connor Woods had scored from the penalty spot.

The goal came in the 73rd minute, but Warrington captain Josh Amis was then sent off for violent conduct and Harrison Burke scored a Chester equaliser in the 85th.

The 1-1 result left Warrington in 18th place in the 24-team league, three points above the relegation zone. Chester were left in seventh, just within the play-off places.