Former Indian pacer David Johnson falls from apartment building and dies in Bengaluru; suicide suspected

Former Team India cricketer David Johnson died on Thursday after falling from the fourth floor of his apartment in Bengaluru’s Kothanur police station.

Police suspect that 52-year-old Johnson committed suicide by jumping from the apartment building. However, an official statement on this has yet to be made. According to police, Johnson fell from the fourth floor of the SLV Paradise Apartment. Though he was immediately taken to hospital, the cricketer succumbed to his injuries.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased, Johnson, was suffering from depression. Kothanur police are investigating the case.

Police said Johnson had been struggling with health problems for a year and had spent the last week in the hospital.

Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble said: “Saddened to hear of the passing of my cricket colleague David Johnson. Sincere condolences to his family. Gone far too soon, ‘Benny’!”

Johnson was a former fast bowler known for his brief stint with the Indian cricket team. He played two Tests for India in 1996 and took three wickets. In domestic cricket, he took 125 wickets for Karnataka in 39 first-class appearances. The highlight of Johnson’s career was reaching a speed of 157.8 km/h in a test match against Australia.

He was born on October 16, 1971 in Arsikere town, Hassan district of Karnataka.

(With inputs from IANS)