‘His fingers were purple’: Amanda Johnston finds her partner Benjamin Hickey dead in their bed

Amanda started her morning like any other, not knowing her partner of 12 years had silently died in their bed. It came a decade after a similar tragedy befell the family.

Amanda Johnston with Ben Hickey’s niece Felicity and pet Bearded Dragon, Spyke. Ben fell asleep with his partner Amanda on a Sunday night but he never woke up. Picture: Brett Hartwig

After a Sunday night of watching movies in bed with her partner, Amanda Johnston woke up and got ready for the day as she usually would.

But her partner of 12 years, 31-year-old Benjamin Hickey, never did.

Soon after she was ready, Ms Johnston returned to the room she shared with Mr Hickey and tried to wake him.

“His fingers were purple,” the 41-year-old said.

Ms Johnston did not realise but the love of her life had suddenly died overnight, while he lay beside her.

Benjamin Hickey with his partner of 12 years, Amanda Johnston. Picture: Supplied by family,

Benjamin Hickey lost his sister 11 years ago to the same condition doctors suspect he lost his life to. Picture: Supplied by family

Mr Hickey had celebrated his 31st birthday two days before he unexpectedly died on January 22 – for a reason doctors are still trying to discover.

“They expect it was an enlarged heart,” Ms Johnston said.

That was the condition that killed Mr Hickey’s 19-year-old sister, Ashleigh Hickey, 11 years ago, leaving Mr Hickey and Ms Johnston to care for her then four-month-old daughter Felicity-Jayde.

“She (Ashleigh) was at a friend’s house at the front door and she dropped and she died,” Ms Johnston said.

The family also had been grieving Benjamin and Ashleigh’s father, John, who died on Mother’s Day last year when he was 72 years old.

Doctors believe the condition that killed Mr Hickey’s 19-year-old sister, Ashleigh Hickey, 11 years ago, is the same condition that claimed his life. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Benjamin loved to fish so much he started an online forum for like-minded people which gained 5000 members. Picture: Supplied by family

When Ms Johnston discovered her partner dead in the bed they shared she broke down.

“I feel guilty because I feel like if I heard something or felt something I could’ve tried to help him,” she said.

“I just don’t understand.”

Ms Johnston said despite the loss of her soulmate, she is trying to be strong for 11-year-old Felicity-Jayde and their family.

“I feel very lost and very numb,” she said.

“I lost my best friend, I lost my soulmate, I lost the person I thought I was going to grow old with for the rest of my life.

“I don’t know how to feel about it. I don’t know how to live life without him. I don’t know my purpose in the world anymore.”

The pair met on Facebook, 12 years ago, when Mr Hickey “poked” Ms Johnston – and they’ve been inseparable since.

The last thing Mr Hickey said to Ms Johnston was: “Goodnight babe, I love you.”

Benjamin Hickey with his bearded dragon Spyke. Picture: Supplied by family

Benjamin Hickey with his partner Amanda Johnston, who he met on Facebook. Picture: Supplied by family,

Mr Hickey was extremely passionate about fishing – having joined a fishing club, won competitions and even created an online forum for enthusiasts reaching 5000 members.

“He’s so smart and knowledgeable about fishing,” Ms Johnston said.

The Davoren Park man had worked as a chicken farmer for Ingham’s before a car crash in 2016 meant he couldn’t return to work.

He adored his pet lizard Spyke who Ms Johnston called “his world”.

“They had the best bond – they would nap together,” she said.

Mr Hickey was born January 20, 1993 and he died January 22, 2024.

He is survived by Amanda Johnston and his family.

If you’d like to donate to the family during this time, you can here.