Adam Johnson manslaughter investigation receives an update.

It has been over a year since former National Hockey League player and former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Adam Johnson was killed during a horrific on-ice incident that occurred in Great Britain's Elite Ice Hockey League. In spite of the fact that an extended period of time has passed since that terrible incident, the Johnson family is still left waiting for answers as no trial has taken place in spite of the fact that a man has been charged with manslaughter since November of 2023.

Unfortunately the Johnson family will have to continue to wait even longer, after it was announced on Monday that the man charged in this case would have his bail extended until January of 2025 as the investigation remains ongoing.

The South Yorkshire Police released the following official statement via their website:

"We have been working meticulously to fully understand the unprecedented circumstances in which Adam sadly lost his life.

"This complex investigation into Adam’s death remains ongoing and we are continuing to work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service.

"Our thoughts remain wholeheartedly with Adam’s family at this time."

As all of you reading this likely already know, Johnson tragically lost his life on October 28th, 2023 when he was struck in the neck by the skate blade of Matt Petgrave during a game between the Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers at the Utilita Arena.

In all of my years covering the sport of hockey I have never seen anything that even remotely resembled what happened on that fateful day.

An extended bail beyond 12 months is unusual and can only be granted by a magistrate, and furthermore tends to only occur in the case of unusually complex cases. I can only hope that the Johnson family will get answers sooner rather than later, as I can't imagine what they have experienced over the course of the last year as they wait for police to conclude their investigation into this matter.