The family and fiancée of Matthew Fallon – who died from a fatal blow during a trip to the shops – have told how they watched in agony as his heart continued to beat for six minutes after his life-support machine was switched off.
Those closest to Mr Fallon this week paid tribute to a “proper gentleman” who was “Islington born and bred”, as it emerged he knew his alleged killer.
The 45-year-old had told fiancée Nicky Hallam he was popping to Tesco before he left their flat in Isledon Road, Holloway.
But the next time Miss Hallam would see her husband-to-be, who she was set to marry at Islington Town Hall in September, was on his deathbed – wired to a life support machine.
Recalling how she sat by his bedside for two days along with Mr Fallon’s sister, Liz, she said: “We stayed with him, prayed and spoke to him and told him how much we loved him.
“We were stroking his face and holding his hand and trying to get a response out of him. He wasn’t responding at all.”
But about 48 hours after being admitted, his sister and fiancée watched in agony as his life-support machine at Royal London Hospital was switched off.
He had continued to fail to respond to treatment following an operation for a subdural haematoma (brain bleed).
Miss Hallam, 25, added: “We feel robbed. We felt sick in our stomachs. But in a way it was nice to see him put to rest.
“He was always happy go lucky. He was just the most genuine person, a proper gentleman.”
The happy couple had meticulously planned their wedding, right down to the outfits.
Miss Hallam added: “We were just about to do the invitations. I was ready to spend the rest of my life with him. I would have moved the earth for him. I feel numb.”
The distraught fiancée revealed he had left for Tesco, and she started to become concerned when he didn’t text her back. She said: “I then called him and a policeman answered his mobile and said they were in the back of an ambulance.”
Mr Fallon was found unconscious in the street yards from where he lived on Tuesday, March 19, at about 7.50pm. Police say he sustained injuries in an incident in nearby Tollington Road.
Sister Liz, 43, said: “Matthew was selfless and always put other people first.”
Her brother was born in Muswell Hill, grew up until his late teens in Hornsey Rise and was a life-time Tottenham Hotspur supporter.
Leroy English, 35, of Hornsey Road, Holloway, is charged with Mr Fallon’s manslaughter.
Police are still looking for witnesses and urge people to call 020 8345 3715 with information.
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