BBC Chef Took His Own Life in Garden Following a Drunken Dispute with Girlfriend

 

Renowned Saturday Kitchen star Russell Norman tragically took his own life in the garden of his Kent home following a heated row with his partner, a coronial inquest has disclosed.

The beloved BBC presenter and celebrated chef was discovered lifeless on the 18th of November, 2023. Despite being urgently transported to hospital after his discovery, he sustained critical brain injuries and passed away five days later, his family by his side. The inquest has since revealed that his blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit for driving at the time of his death.

Held at Oakwood House in Maidstone, Kent, the inquest concluded that the cause of death was suicide by hanging. The situation had reportedly deteriorated after a dispute between Norman and his girlfriend, Dr Genevieve Verdigel.

Dr Verdigel, an esteemed art historian, recounted to the inquest how she found her partner unresponsive in their garden. Her account, presented by the coroner Katrina Hepburn, detailed her frantic efforts to save him: “I dashed back inside to dial 999. I attempted CPR and was screaming for help, prompting our neighbours to rush over.”

The inquest revealed that prior to his death, he had been showing signs of “suicidal tendencies”. The cause of death was determined to be a brain injury resulting from hanging. When he was discovered, he still had a pulse, and efforts were made to resuscitate him. He was then transported to the nearby William Harvey Hospital, where he was placed on end-of-life care. Norman passed away on November 23.

Russell, who was 57 at the time of his death, had a large following of fans and friends who quickly paid their respects to the restaurateur. His business partner, Richard, issued a heartfelt statement which stated: “It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my dear friend, Russell Norman.

“After a brief struggle in hospital, he passed away surrounded by loved ones. Russell leaves behind his wife and three children, and I kindly request that the privacy of his family, friends, and colleagues be respected during this difficult time.”

Russell Norman, the chef who played a pivotal role in founding the businesses POLPO and SPUNTINO alongside Richard, also made his mark with the casual Italian diner BRUTTO. In a touching tribute, James Martin expressed his sadness over the loss, stating, “Just heard the news that today we lost a giant and a legend in the restaurant world, Russell Norman, who was and will always be an inspiration for so many.”

Norman’s death leaves a void in the lives of his three children, which include two daughters with his wife Jules and a son, Ollie, from a previous relationship. Reflecting on their life together back in 2012, Jules shared, “Unsurprisingly, food has always played an important part in our relationship.”

“Russell charmed me with his culinary skills, preparing delightful meals like pea and mint risotto, which left me feeling too daunted to cook for him for a couple of years,” she shared with The Independent. “In the days before we were married and had children, we’d often escape to Venice. There, we’d wander through the bacari, indulging in baccala mantecato that, to this day, reminds me of romance, all the while becoming quite cheerful from sipping prosecco and negroni.”