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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tourist stabbing inquest opened | Tourist stabbing inquest opened |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| An inquest has been opened in Cardiff into the death of a fitness instructor stabbed while on holiday in New Jersey. | |
| Deputy Assistant Coroner Dr Lawrence Addicott heard that Lavern Ritch, 37, from Penarth, was killed by a single stab wound through his heart. | Deputy Assistant Coroner Dr Lawrence Addicott heard that Lavern Ritch, 37, from Penarth, was killed by a single stab wound through his heart. |
| His funeral will be held next Thursday at Llandaff Cathedral and the inquest was adjourned until US authorities complete their inquiries | |
| A man has been remanded in America charged with aggravated manslaughter. | A man has been remanded in America charged with aggravated manslaughter. |
| The inquest at Cardiff Central Police Station was told that Mr Ritch was killed when he went to help the victim of a fight. | The inquest at Cardiff Central Police Station was told that Mr Ritch was killed when he went to help the victim of a fight. |
| South Wales Police Det Chief Inspector Paul Hurley told the hearing that Mr Ritch had been to the beach and had eaten out late with friends, leaving the restaurant at 2am. | South Wales Police Det Chief Inspector Paul Hurley told the hearing that Mr Ritch had been to the beach and had eaten out late with friends, leaving the restaurant at 2am. |
| He said: "He saw an altercation and went to intervene to break it up. He suffered a single stab wound to the chest and was pronounced dead in hospital at 3.04am." | He said: "He saw an altercation and went to intervene to break it up. He suffered a single stab wound to the chest and was pronounced dead in hospital at 3.04am." |
| Mr Davies surrendered himself to us, and if he makes bail he will be required to wear a global positioning system tracking device Atlantic County prosecutor Theodore Housel | Mr Davies surrendered himself to us, and if he makes bail he will be required to wear a global positioning system tracking device Atlantic County prosecutor Theodore Housel |
| On Thursday, Robert Davies, 46, appeared in court charged with aggravated manslaughter. He was remanded to the Atlantic County jail. | On Thursday, Robert Davies, 46, appeared in court charged with aggravated manslaughter. He was remanded to the Atlantic County jail. |
| The Atlantic County prosecutors' office said that Mr Davies from New Jersey, was involved in a disagreement with another man outside Maynard's café in Margate, in which he was struck. | The Atlantic County prosecutors' office said that Mr Davies from New Jersey, was involved in a disagreement with another man outside Maynard's café in Margate, in which he was struck. |
| Mr Ritch, they went on, tried to break up the fight and Mr Davies stabbed him once before fleeing the scene and disposing of the knife and other physical evidence. | Mr Ritch, they went on, tried to break up the fight and Mr Davies stabbed him once before fleeing the scene and disposing of the knife and other physical evidence. |
| Robert Davies is charged with Mr Ritch's aggravated manslaughter | Robert Davies is charged with Mr Ritch's aggravated manslaughter |
| As well as aggravated manslaughter, Mr Davies has been charged with possession of a knife for an unlawful purpose and tampering with physical evidence. | As well as aggravated manslaughter, Mr Davies has been charged with possession of a knife for an unlawful purpose and tampering with physical evidence. |
| The Atlantic County prosecutor said it was up to the grand jury to determine whether there would be an additional charge of murder. | The Atlantic County prosecutor said it was up to the grand jury to determine whether there would be an additional charge of murder. |
| Theodore Housel said: "Mr Davies surrendered himself to us, and if he makes bail he will be required to wear a global positioning system tracking device." | Theodore Housel said: "Mr Davies surrendered himself to us, and if he makes bail he will be required to wear a global positioning system tracking device." |
| Mr Ritch's family have said his funeral will take place next Thursday at Llandaff Cathedral and will be a private service. | |
| There will also be a wake at David Lloyd Fitness Centre that everyone is welcome to attend. | |
| The family have thanked the police in America and the UK for their "combined efforts and swift action" following the arrest of a man over the death. | |
| A statement said: "We as a family were brought up to do right by others and by doing this Lavern lost his life. We only want justice for our brother." | |
| They also thanked family and friends for their support, adding: "in particular, Jason for helping us bring Lavern home to be with his family and rest in peace. Our loss is heaven's gain". | |
| 'Fine son' | |
| A popular figure in Cardiff, Mr Ritch had been voted one of the most eligible bachelors in the UK and once appeared on TV game show Gladiators. | A popular figure in Cardiff, Mr Ritch had been voted one of the most eligible bachelors in the UK and once appeared on TV game show Gladiators. |
| He had flown out to the US on 24 July and was staying in the Cherry Hill area of New Jersey. He had been due to return on Thursday. | He had flown out to the US on 24 July and was staying in the Cherry Hill area of New Jersey. He had been due to return on Thursday. |
| His body was brought home on Monday by his brother Tony. The family did not attend the inquest opening. | His body was brought home on Monday by his brother Tony. The family did not attend the inquest opening. |
| His father Louis said he had been astonished by the number of people who had contacted the family since Mr Ritch's death. | His father Louis said he had been astonished by the number of people who had contacted the family since Mr Ritch's death. |
| He said he had known he had a fine son, but he had not been aware just how popular he was. | He said he had known he had a fine son, but he had not been aware just how popular he was. |