British prosecutors have announced that the man arrested in connection with the death of former NHL player Adam Johnson, Matt Petgrave, will not face criminal charges. This decision follows an extensive investigation into the on-ice collision that led to Johnson`s tragic death.
Adam Johnson died on October 28, 2023, after his throat was cut by Petgrave`s skate during a game between the Nottingham Panthers and the Sheffield Steelers. The incident occurred during a collision. Petgrave was subsequently arrested on suspicion of manslaughter about two weeks after the event.
Following a detailed investigation by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and South Yorkshire Police, it was concluded that there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges. Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Michael Quinn issued a statement explaining this decision:
Following a thorough police investigation and a comprehensive review of all the evidence by the CPS, we have concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offense and so there will not be a prosecution.
Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Adam Johnson.
Adam Johnson was 29 years old at the time of his death. He had previously played for the Pittsburgh Penguins organization in both the NHL and AHL. During his 13 NHL appearances, he recorded one goal and three assists.
