Ricky Bibey, a former British Rugby League player, died of a heart attack at 40 while beating his girlfriend, 44-year-old Jennie Platt. The incident happened in Florence.

The couple of three years stayed in Hotel Continentale in Florence when the noise was heard from their room. The Italian police came to the scene and saw a horrific tragedy.

Jennie, a mom of two, was taken to the hospital. Her friends said that Ricky was known for his "shocking and violent" attacks, adding she was "lucky" that she was still alive.

The attack on July 16 had to wait to be investigated, as Jennie could not walk for over a week.

Her lawyer Stefano Goldstein told MailOnline that his client was the victim who needed "several operations during a lengthy stay in hospital."

The lawyer added that Jennie "has cooperated fully with the authorities who are investigating the matter, and we expect the case to be closed within the next few days, but for Jennie, the trauma of what happened will not end as she will need medical care in England."

On the night of his death, Ricky was "completely out of control," Jennie's attorney said.

She still struggles to understand what happened that night, as a post-mortem examination confirmed that he died of a heart attack.

The former rugby star's mental health had declined in the past six months. Additionally, the toxicology report should confirm whether he took cocaine and alcohol, which led to his death.