The British journalist maintained his innocence in the case.
Ian Bailey, suspect in the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, has died after he collapsed on a street in Cork on Sunday, January 21.
According to the Irish Independent, The 66-year-old fell ill and collapsed while walking on Barrack Street in Bantry at lunchtime today.
The British journalist, who maintained his innocence in the 1996 murder case which has received significant media attention since, suffered a series of heart attacks last year, for which he was hospitalised.
Ian Bailey, chief suspect in murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, has died
Last year, Bailey cited the “extreme stress and anxiety” from the Toscan du Plantier case and the prospect of losing his home as factors in his deteriorating health.
Speaking from his hospital bed in September, the Manchester-born poet and journalist said:
“My life has been a torture over recent years – I honestly don’t know how I endured it. It felt at times like I was being bonfired.
“I suppose all of this has to catch up on my health. But I feel like I am running on 25pc power at the moment.
“I am very ill and fear I am running out of time. The doctors have not been able to operate because of existing health issues I have. I have some kind of heart issue but at the moment they can’t put stents in.”
Mr Bailey was twice arrested by gardaí in relation to the murder investigation in 1997 and 1998 but was released without charge on both occasions.
In 2019, Mr Bailey was convicted in absentia by a court in Paris of the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier. However, he has maintained he has nothing to do with the case and called the Parisian proceedings a “farce” and a “show-trial”.
Speaking following his health issues last year, Bailey said, “I just want people to know that if I don’t pull through, I am an innocent man and did not kill Sophie.
“I had been suffering from extreme stress and anxiety for weeks now caused by the whole Sophie case plus the prospect of being kicked out of my home.
“There is nothing worse than being accused of something you did not do.”
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