Inquest opens into tragic dad Ryan, 24

Ryan Whatton passed away on Thursday March 16, aged 24.

The inquest into his death opened at Bolton Coroners’ Court on Monday March 21.

Tributes to the young Wigan father quickly flooded social media in the hours following his death.

Pal Jordan Khokhar wrote: “RIP Ryan Whatton, top guy!”

Many also expressed their shock at the apparent sudden news.

“Still doesn’t seem real,” posted Ashley Woodcock, who identified herself as Ryan’s cousin.

She added: “Doesn’t seem two minutes ago since we used to play pile on and give donkey rides.”

Another friend Daniel Newman, who described Ryan as his “best mate” and “a brother,” commented on the wave of tribute messages.

His message, adorned with a broken-heart emoji, read: “Good to see all the support on here for my brother Ryan Whatton.

“Loved by so many!”

Ryan, who was the father of a young son, was described as having had “a mischievous smile.”

Others described him as an “angel” and “one of the funniest people I’ve ever met” who was “always making us laugh”.