'We miss Connor every day': Why 'well and happy' rugby star died suddenly at 25
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This article was originally published by Stuff and is reproduced with permission
A young former Highlanders and Maori All Blacks player died suddenly, in the context of having a mildly dilated heart, a coroner has found.
Connor Garden-Bachop, 25, went to bed "well and happy" at his aunt and uncle's home in Christchurch on June 16, 2024.
The next afternoon, around 5pm, he was found dead in bed.
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Connor Garden-Bachop of the Highlanders fends off Ethan Blackadder of the Crusaders. Getty
Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale released her findings into his death on Tuesday.
She found a post-mortem examination had confirmed Garden-Bachop was not injured, and he hadn't consumed alcohol or drugs.
But it did find he had a slightly stretched heart.
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The Highlanders celebrate after Connor Garden-Bachop of the Highlanders dives over to score a try. Getty
"Death can occur when the heart develops an abnormal heartbeat, then stops," the findings said.
In her evidence to the coroner, forensic pathologist Dr Leslie Anderson considered the possible involvement of seizures in Garden-Bachop's death.
He didn't have a history of seizures, but had suffered episodic concussion during his career on the rugby field.
The Highlanders perform a haka in memory of the late Connor Garden-Bachop. Getty
His most recent one was a month before he died, in May 2024, the findings said.
A post-mortem could not examine seizures, but Anderson said without a history of seizures, and with an abnormal heart, one being the sole cause of his death was "less likely".
Ultimately, the cause of Garden-Bachop's death was "sudden death in the context of a mildly dilated heart", Borrowdale said.
The Highlanders perform a haka for Toby Garden-Bachop. Super Rugby
His death was referred for testing to determine whether there were any possibly genetic causes, but no abnormalities were found.
Borrowdale said it was unclear exactly what time Garden-Bachop had died.
He last used his cellphone just after 11pm on June 16, 2024, and then his alarm clock was heard repeatedly at 9.30am the next day, which Borrowdale said may have suggested he was dead by then.
"However, as his body was not discovered until later that day, I must give the date of his death as 16-17 June, 2024."
Last night his brother, Jackson Garden-Bachop, said, on behalf of the Garden-Bachop whānau:
"We'd like to thank everyone for the continued love and support in relation to Connor. We are pleased the final coroner's report is completed. We miss Connor every day, and will continue to try and honour and emulate all that he was in the way we live our lives."
'Immeasurably loved'
Soon after his death, tributes flowed from across Aotearoa, and abroad.
Garden-Bachop was remembered as a talented sportsman with a big personality.
A group statement from New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Maori Rugby Board, Highlanders, Wellington Rugby and New Zealand Rugby Players Association said he was a "fantastic young player" and "a proud Maori All Black."
"Wherever he played, he was a committed and popular teammate with infectious energy and someone who could light up the room.
"Most importantly, he was a loving father to his twin girls, a brother, a son and immeasurably loved by all those who knew him."
In an additional statement from the rugby community, they acknowledged the Garden-Bachop whanau, and said "Connor was an extremely gifted young man who remains dearly missed by his teammates, coaches and the wider New Zealand rugby community".
At the Highlanders' first Super Rugby Pacific home game after he died, fans at Forsyth Barr Stadium and players on the field sang along to Garden-Bachop's favourite song, Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver.
Rugby career
Garden-Bachop, an outside back, played for the Wellington Lions and Canterbury in the NPC, debuted for the Highlanders in 2021 as the club's 300th player and was awarded the club's Rookie of the Year.
He was also selected for the Maori All Blacks in 2022, making his debut during a two-test series against Ireland.
His brother, Jackson Garden-Bachop, has also had a successful rugby career, currently signed with Moana Pasifika.
They are sons of former All Black Stephen Bachop and former Black Fern Sue Garden-Bachop who died in 2009 after a long battle with cancer.
Former All Black Graeme Bachop is their uncle.
