Strictly Star Robin Windsor's Cause of Death Confirmed as Suicide at Inquest

The cause of death of former Strictly Come Dancing professional Robin Windsor has been officially determined following a three-day inquest into the star's tragic passing. A jury has ruled the death as suicide, concluding that the dancer was profoundly affected by emotional and professional vulnerabilities.

Details of the Tragic Event

Robin Windsor was discovered deceased at the Hoxton Hotel in Shepherd's Bush, London, on February 19, 2024, at the age of 44. At the time of his death, toxicology reports revealed that Windsor had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal drink-drive limit and had also taken the drug GBL.

After approximately two hours of deliberation, a ten-person jury reached the verdict that Windsor had taken his own life. They determined that the probable causes were "an accumulation of many attributes to depression".

Contributing Factors Identified by the Jury

The jury forewoman informed the court that "Windsor suffered from childhood trauma, he was vulnerable to rejection, both emotionally and professionally." Additionally, the jury agreed that several other elements played significant roles in his decision to end his life.

Loneliness and lack of emotional maturity
Pressure from mounting debts
Insufficient consistent mental health care and support
Recurring heartache

These factors were collectively described as "contributing factors" in the official findings, as reported by the Mirror.

Heartbreaking Messages Left Behind

In a poignant message to a close friend left before his death, Windsor wrote: "This all actually really started when I lost my place on Strictly and I have been fighting it ever since. I had a good run, I've done some incredible things in my 44 years and had an unreal life doing what I loved, but all things must come to an end and my curtain has come down for the final time."

A separate message to his ex-partner, Ollie Augstin, from whom Windsor had separated the year prior, stated emphatically: "I need you to understand, this is not your fault!"

Strictly Come Dancing Career and Aftermath

The Latin and ballroom dancer joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, partnering with notable celebrities across four series until 2013. His dance partners included actresses Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, and Lisa Riley, as well as Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden.

Windsor was unable to participate in the 2014 series due to a back injury and was not included in the 2015 lineup, though he did appear in that year's Christmas special, performing alongside TV presenter Alison Hammond.

Coroner's Remarks and Family Address

Upon delivering the verdict, Coroner van Dellen addressed Windsor's family member present in court, saying: "I hope the family can take some comfort from the joy Robin brought to so many people and the positive effect he had on so many people." He added, "That's a wonderful legacy for Robin to leave."

The coroner had instructed jurors to consider how Windsor met his death, emphasizing: "You will need to consider the extent to which matters or events probably more than minimally contributed to Robin's mental health deterioration, which in turn led him to take his own life."

Moving Testimonies from Friends and Colleagues

Throughout the inquest, emotional testimonies were presented from Windsor's friends and colleagues, including Strictly partners Lisa Riley and Deborah Meaden, as well as former Strictly professional Kristina Rihanoff.

In a statement delivered at Wednesday's hearing, Emmerdale star Lisa Riley revealed that Windsor's "glow had gone" following his removal from Strictly. She expressed: "It was from this moment, on to the time of his death, he kept slipping deeper and deeper into endless depression."

Riley also informed the jury that Windsor had "told me of the horrific time where he was molested by his old dance tutor and felt his parents never really understood this, nor did they come to his rescue."

In a separate statement, businesswoman and Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden noted that while Windsor "always did his best to present a bright and sunny face", she had witnessed her dance partner being "tearful and distracted at times."

Another witness, John Gleede, a pantomime performer, stated that Windsor "seemed obsessed with Strictly Come Dancing" during a 2023 production of Aladdin, a decade after he left the show. Gleede observed: "During the rehearsal period he had a lot of time on his hands. He was sitting on the sidelines watching footage of strictly, the current series. He was looking at it on his phone continuously. He missed it dearly."