The death of a ‘gifted, charismatic’ pro wrestler who took his own life just days after spending Christmas with his family remains shrouded in mystery despite an inquest taking place. Kurtis Chapman, 26, was found dead by staff at the Ibis hotel in Portsmouth, Hampshire, on December 28, 2023. A postmortem gave the cause of death as hanging.
![[Kurtis Chapman]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_185416361-5176.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
An inquest held in his home city of Portsmouth heard that he had small amounts of alcohol and ketamine in his system, but these would not have contributed to his death. Mr Chapman, known as Mad Kurt in the ring, had paused his work as a wrestler but had organised a contest in the near future.
![[themadkurt]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_185427060-470e-e1737535358877.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The inquest was told he also enjoyed gambling but had saved some of his winnings and was not in debt. He had also recently rekindled his relationship with his childhood sweetheart. Coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp recorded a conclusion that Mr Chapman took his own life.
She said: ‘He was living in a flat share with others, he got back with his long term friend after a separation, his wrestling, which he has had a break from, seemed to be back in place. ‘He didn’t seem to have any financial concerns, he had spent a nice Christmas with family and appeared to be behaving normally without concern.
‘For whatever reason, he didn’t go to friends or his girlfriend’s on Boxing Day, he went from his family to the Ibis, booked himself in and he killed himself. ‘I think it’s a complete and utter mystery as to why he did it. ‘In order to reach a conclusion of suicide I have to be able to be sure that first of all the person took their own life and second that it’s more likely than not it was their intention to do so.
