Inquest opens into sudden death of talented and much-loved musician

Wednesday 13 November 2024

An inquest has opened into the death of a talented musician and “true friend of Jersey” who died unexpectedly last month.

Cheltenham-based Matthew Heighway was a member of the Jersey Chamber Orchestra and Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

The 46-year-old bass player passed away on 9 October while travelling to the island on a ferry to play in a concert.

Pictured: Mat was travelling to the island to play with the Jersey Chamber Orchestra when he passed away. (Music in Action)

A short inquest hearing on Tuesday heard that Mr Heighway had told crew members that he felt unwell and he had been given a cabin to lie down in.

He had later been found unresponsive, and attempts to resuscitate him had failed.

The police are not treating his death as suspicious.

Mr Heighway worked as a professional bass player; he had been travelling to Jersey for 17 years and performed in over 50 concerts in the island.

As well as being "a true friend of Jersey", he was described as “a rock” of outreach work in schools and care homes, and “a hugely valued member” of the island's music community.