From: ManchesterOnline
A SUPERSTAR wrestler who battled drug addiction died from a heart defect he could have had for years.
Wigan-born Davey Boy Smith, known as the British Bulldog, was found dead in Canada, where he had made his home, in May last year.
An inquest into his death at Bolton recorded a verdict of natural cases, after hearing he had an enlarged heart.
But Mr Smith's father Sid, who insisted that his son's body should be returned to this country for a post mortem - against the wishes of his son's girlfriend - does not accept his son died from natural causes.
Comeback
Mr Smith, 39, fought pain-killer addiction towards the end of his career after being prescribed drugs for a back condition, but was poised to make a comeback when he was found dead.
Forensic scientist Julie Evans said she found levels of morphine and steroids in his body, but they were not high enough to kill him.
"The levels found suggest a history of therapeutic use of codeine and morphine, but there is no scientific evidence of abuse," she said.
"There were high levels of testosterone, but many athletes can have a higher level of testosterone than the average person."
Mr Smith shot to fame with World Wrestling Entertainment, formerly the World Wresting Federation, during the late 1980s and early 1990s, after moving to Canada at the age of 18 to pursue his career.
He had married Diana Hart and they had two children, but the marriage broke down and he then formed a relationship with his sister-in-law, Andrea Hart.
He was with Mrs Hart and her five children on holiday at the home of friend Monica Anderson in Fairmont when he died.
Too late
In a statement, Mrs Hart said she woke to find him dead in bed beside her on the morning of May 18. "I noticed he wasn't breathing, he was just kind of blue," she said. "I called Monica right away, but it was too late."
She denied Mr Hart had been taking drugs before his death, apart from a muscle relaxant for his back.
Coroner Jennifer Leeming recorded a verdict of natural causes after pathologist John Rutherford said Mr Smith suffered from cardiac arythmia.
But after the inquest, Mr Smith's father, Sid, from Golborne, said: "I believe my son was murdered, he was so fit and healthy, it doesn't make sense.
"He was about to make a comeback.
"I'm so shocked I don't know what to do, but I might go to Canada to try to find out more. We are all devastated, he will never be forgotten."
During his career, Davey Boy Smith won WWF titles including Intercontinental Champion and was twice crowned European Champion.
13/06/2003