Forever In Our Hearts: Manly star dies in a car crash.

A coronial investigation has been launched into the shock death of Manly Sea Eagles rising star Keith Titmuss.

An investigation is now under way to determine why the 20-year-old collapsed during a routine pre-season training session and later died in hospital on November 23, 2020. It could lead to a formal public inquest next year.

While a date has not been set for a potential inquest, it has been indicated to the family that the matter, should it proceed, would be heard in June or July next year given a cause of death was unable to be determined in the initial report.

A number of Titmuss’ teammates and friends – including Manly’s Josh Schuster and Jason Saab, Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu and Canterbury’s Matt Doorey – have been asked to cooperate with the investigation. Titmuss’ girlfriend has also been asked.

The NSW Coroners Court told the Herald: “This matter is still in the investigative stage. No hearing date has been set yet, and no subpoenas have been issued yet.”

A potential inquest is likely to examine the training methods of the Sea Eagles and the events that unfolded between Titmuss suffering a seizure at training in Narrabeen and later that day when he was pronounced dead at Royal North Shore Hospital.

Over the past month, detectives have been interviewing Sea Eagles players, medical staff and coaching staff.

“The Sea Eagles are assisting the coroner’s office with inquiries into the death of Keith Titmuss on 23 November, 2020,” Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov, who only started in the job last month, said.

“The Sea Eagles understand that the Coroner may hold an inquest into the matter but no dates have been set for this.”

The statements of cardiologists, sports scientists, emergency physicians and various medical experts have also been requested.

Titmuss’ family have also undergone a series of medical examinations to determine whether there is a genetic link associated with his death. It s understood the family has since been cleared of any genetic concerns.

The initial autopsy provided no insight into Titmuss’ cause of death, while the toxicology report also showed no sign of drug use. His brain has also been donated to the Australian Sports Brain Bank for further research.

Statements from club officials and Titmuss’ family will be provided in the coronial brief being prepared.

“Officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command are preparing a report for the information of the Coroner regarding the death of a 20-year-old man on Monday, November 23, 2020,” NSW Police told the Herald.