Death of boxing promoter’s brother, Mark Warren, ‘not suspicious’

Published: 23 July, 2010
by SIMON WROE

POLICE investigating the death of Mark Warren, brother of boxing promoter Frank Warren, have ruled out foul play.

Mr Warren, 43, suffered multiple injuries after falling from his fifth-floor flat at St Philip House, in Lloyd Baker Street, Clerkenwell, at 8pm on Friday. He was pronounced dead at the scene half an hour later. 

An inquest into his death, which opened at St Pancras Coroner’s Court on Thursday, heard that police had decided there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the fall.

Detective Inspector Keith Blundy said: “Our concerns at the time were that there was no suicide note and no witnesses to see him fall from the balcony. But after further investigation we are not seeking any third party in relation to the death.”

Mark was the youngest sibling of Frank, the 58-year-old promoter who has managed some of the greatest boxers of the last 30 years, including ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed, Nigel Benn, Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton and Amir Khan.

Frank, who grew up with his brother in Islington, told the Tribune yesterday (Thursday): “My family thank everyone for their kind messages and sympathy and would ask that you respect our privacy at this sad time.”

Mark had moved into the flat nine months ago after suffering a stroke. He was a well-known face in Filthy McNasty’s pub in Amwell Street and on the boxing circuit. Roy Callaghan, a trainer at St Pancras Boxing Club, said: “He was a very nice guy. It’s very sad. On behalf of the club we send our condolences to the family and to Frank.”

The death will be the subject of a full inquest in October.

A resident of St Philip House said she had seen Mark Warren hanging by his hands from the railings before he fell.

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “I saw him on the ground. The emergency services arrived and tried to resuscitate him but couldn’t and covered his body in a sheet. 

“Mark’s family came round to his flat afterwards and they were crying.”