David Hookes - Death

Death

On the night of 18 January 2004, Hookes went to the Beaconsfield Hotel in St Kilda, Melbourne, with members of the Victoria and South Australia cricket teams, to celebrate a win by the former over the latter in a one-day match. Shortly after midnight, the party was asked to leave the hotel, though there are conflicting stories as to the reason. It is also unclear whether the party left voluntarily or were forced to leave. The security staff continued following the party for a short distance outside the hotel, and there was an altercation. Witnesses gave highly conflicting testimony of what occurred and who started the fight, but what is not in doubt is that Hookes fell to the ground, hitting his head in the process, and going into cardiac arrest. He was revived by paramedics but did not regain consciousness. He was taken to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital and placed on life support. The following evening, after family and friends had said their goodbyes, Hookes was taken off life support and died shortly afterwards. Hookes was an organ donor and ten people received transplanted organs.

A memorial service was held on Adelaide Oval on 27 January 2004, attended by all members of the Australian, South Australia and Victoria cricket teams, as well as the Premier of Victoria, Steve Bracks. Total attendance was estimated at 10,000. His estranged wife Robyn declined to participate in his memorial service, but sat in one of the outer grandstands. Zdravko Mićević, who punched Hookes, was charged with manslaughter but was acquitted. Mićević claimed that Hookes had punched him first, without provocation.