Arsenal legend Kevin Campbell ‘lost over 10st in four months after suffering multiple organ failure before tragic death’
ARSENAL and Everton legend Kevin Campbell lost more than 10st in four months after suffering multiple organ failure before his death, an inquest heard.
The striker passed away in hospital last June aged just 54 – sparking an outpouring of grief from his ex-teammates.
An inquest into Campbell’s death today heard he he was “desperately unwell” when he was admitted to hospital months before his death and had lost more than half of his body weight.
He had been fit and well until about January 2024 until he was admitted to hospital with heart and kidney failure.
No underlying cause for his declining health was identified during his six-week stay and he was discharged two months later after “responding well to treatment”, it was said.
But in May last year, Campbell was readmitted after his weight plummeted to 9.3st and he developed gangrene in his toes.
He was so weak by this point that his family – including his Sheffield United striker son Tyrese – were told he was not expected to survive.
Although Campbell was “alert” and “conscious”, the court heard he was “very weak”.
He passed away on June 15 where it was then discovered the footballer had a rare infection in his heart called endocarditis.
Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) declared a level 5 patient safety incident to see whether a delay in diagnosing the infection could have contributed to his death.
But this was downgraded to a level 2 incident and the hospital concluded his death was “possibly avoidable but not very likely”.
Consultant Dr Robert Henney said tests suggested the infective endocarditis was “not present during the first admission”.
He added: “Kevin was so weak as a result of heart and kidney failure and weight loss that even if we had diagnosed the endocarditis on that day (of admission) I don’t think his treatment would have been any different.
“What he actually needed was surgery … but he was so weak that was not an option. Unfortunately there was nothing else that could have been done.”
Coroner Zak Golombek ruled there had been “clear evidence of a missed opportunity or a delay in diagnosis” of Campbell’s endocarditis.
He added: “That has been admitted by the trust.
“However, it’s also part of the evidence that this particular missed opportunity or delay in diagnosis would not have more than minimally contributed to Kevin’s death on the balance of probabilities.”
Campbell made 213 appearances for Arsenal between 1988 and 1995, scoring 59 goals in all competitions.
During his time at the club, he won the old First Division, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Arsenal led tributes for the star, who became a pundit after hanging up his boots.
The team said: “We are devastated to learn that our former striker Kevin Campbell has died after a short illness.
“Kevin was adored by everyone at the club. All of us are thinking of his friends and family at this difficult time.
“Rest in peace, Kevin.”
Campbell’s former club Everton, where he spent six years after joining in 1999 – making 137 appearances for the club.
The Toffees said: “Everton said: “Everyone at Everton is deeply saddened by the death of our former striker Kevin Campbell at the age of just 54.
“Not just a true Goodison Park hero and icon of the English game, but an incredible person as well – as anyone who ever met him will know.
“RIP, Super Kev.”
In a two-decade career, Campbell scored 149 goals and made 521 professional appearances.
As well as Arsenal and Everton, he had stints at Nottingham Forest, West Brom and Cardiff City.
Campbell holds the record for the most Premier League goals without representing England.
But he did make four appearances for England U21s and one appearance for the England B squad.
Wayne Rooney, who played at Everton with the footballer, said: “Absolutely devastated to hear the news about Kev – thinking of all his family and friends.
“Kev was a great team mate but more importantly a brilliant person who helped me a lot in my earlier years.”
While Arsenal star Tony Adams added: “Super Kev: a goal machine, a giant of a man, with an even bigger heart.
“An intensely private and a truly wonderful human being. I’m devastated for his loved ones, and all of us.
“Love you Super Kev, Skipper.”