The former cricketer, who was regarded as one of the best batters of his generation, had taken his own life after “suffering from major depression and anxiety,” according to Thorpe’s wife and daughter, who had previously disclosed this information.
Graham Thorpe, a former cricketer for England, passed away after being struck by a train at a railway station in Surrey, according to the opening statement of an inquest into his death.
The 55-year-old man took his own life on August 4 after “suffering from major depression and anxiety,” according to statements made by his wife Amanda and daughter Kitty, which were made to The Times previously.
Thorpe died as a result of “traumatic injuries,” according to the coroner Simon Wickens, who claims that the train struck him at around 8.30 in the morning.
During his testimony before the Surrey Coroner’s Court in Woking, Mr. Wickens stated that “multiple injuries” were the medical reason for his passing.
Tributes to ‘very talented’ Graham Thorpe
Mrs. Thorpe revealed in an interview with The Times that her husband had previously made a “serious attempt” on his life in May 2022, which had resulted in a “prolonged stay in an intensive care unit.”
Despite the fact that she stated that Thorpe was “renowned as someone who was very mentally strong on the field,” she also stated that “mental illness is a real disease and can affect anyone to some degree.”
Mrs. Thorpe stated, “He did not get better despite the fact that he had a wife and two daughters who loved him and who loved him with all their hearts.”
“He was so unwell in recent times and he really did believe that we would be better off without him and we are devastated that he acted on that and took his own life.”
During his time with England, Thorpe participated in one hundred test matches and was widely considered to be one of the best batters of his generation.
In addition to having a 17-year career with Surrey, the left-handed counterattacker scored sixteen centuries in test matches and appeared 82 times for the one-day international team. He also had such a successful career with Surrey.
Beginning in 2010 and continuing until 2022, he served as England’s captain on three separate occasions and in a variety of coaching capacities for his country.
At the beginning of the inquest into Thorpe’s death, the coroner expressed his “sincere condolences” to not only his family but also “all those touched by his life and career.”
In the past, Mr. Wickens had permitted Thorpe’s family to receive his body following the completion of a post-mortem examination. By comparing fingerprints from an item found at the former cricketer’s last known address, he determined that the body had been identified as belonging to the deceased.
A final date for the complete inquest into Thorpe’s death will be determined at a later time.
As soon as the England and Wales Cricket Board made the announcement on August 5 that he had passed away, a flood of tributes began pouring in for one of the nation’s most talented Test players.
The British Transport Police has sent the case to the coroner for further investigation.
Charities have lauded Thorpe’s wife and daughter for being forthright about what took place, with the chief executive officer of the Samaritans stating that it is “really important” to have open and honest conversations about suicide.
Julie Bentley concluded by saying, “Talking openly can help to break the stigma surrounding the subject and can encourage people who are struggling to get the vital support they need.”
Former England bowler Stuart Broad spoke to Mr. Thorpe as a “wonderful person” after the news of his passing became public. Current Test players Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Ben Duckett also expressed their admiration for Mr. Thorpe.