Inquest reveals ‘stressed’ chef Antonio Rucco found hanged at his restaurant

An inquiry into the death of 39 year-old chef Antonio Rucco has revealed that the chef died as a result of hanging.

The details of the inquest, seen by Metro, revealed that the young chef was found in critical condition by his girlfriend at his restaurant, Antonio’s Vegan Kitchen, in Bethnal Green, in March this year.

The chef was rushed to the hospital, but rapidly succumbed to severe brain injuries.

Assistant coroner William Dolman said that the chef's autopsy found no traces of drugs or alcohol in his blood and thus said he could not confirm the suicide verdict, but confirmed that his death was the result of ‘suspension by ligature.’

While friends and family said they had received no indication that the chef was experiencing suicidal thoughts, they said he had been suffering from the stress of running his business.

Originally founded as Piaduma Genuina in April 2017, the successful vegan restaurant was relocated and renamed last year.

At the time, the restaurant issued the following statement: ‘It is with great sadness that we must announce our chef and owner passed away.’

 ‘The restaurant will be closed permanently and we thank you for your love and support at this time.’

A friend and neighbour of the chef posted on his Instagram: 

“This is incredibly saddening. I was Antonio’s neighbour and became his friend last summer when he was refurbishing this restaurant...this place was truly a labour of love...Antonio was a kind man who was deeply passionate about his craft. He deeply cared about his food and was surprisingly unassuming given his talent.

“... hope your friends and family are comforted at this time in the knowledge of the many lives you touched and the depth of feeling that has come from your passing. Farewell my friend.”