Maddy Cusack inquest adjourned to December for document search

An inquest into the death of former Sheffield United footballer Maddy Cusack has been adjourned until December, after the assistant coroner requested additional evidence from the club. Cusack, 27, was found unconscious by her father David at their family home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on 20 September 2023 and was pronounced dead the same day.

The inquest, which began at Chesterfield Coroner's Court on 29 June, was originally scheduled to conclude on 27 July. However, Assistant Coroner Sophie Cartwright KC adjourned the hearing until 7 December to allow Sheffield United to search for documents linked to Cusack's medical records. Cartwright apologized to Cusack's family for the delay, stating: "I know how long you have waited for this inquest. I genuinely am sorry to the family and the properly interested persons. The hope we would finish today or tomorrow will not take place for reasons you know."

Family's complaint and allegations against coach

The inquest heard that Cusack's family sent a written complaint to Sheffield United in the weeks following her death, outlining issues allegedly stemming from her working relationship with the club's coach, Jonathan Morgan. Cusack's mother Deborah described Morgan as her daughter's "nemesis", alleging he made comments about her weight and relationship to "cut her down to size" and be "in control".

Grace Riglar, who played for the team and was in a relationship with Cusack, told the court that Cusack was "anxious" about Morgan joining the club after her experience of working with him at Leicester City. Morgan, giving evidence, said he had no concerns about his relationship with Cusack when he joined Sheffield United as manager. He told the inquest that he had offered Cusack a full-time contract and was "really happy" to have her in his team.

However, the inquest heard that Morgan had told the Football Association (FA) that Cusack was "generally a liar", saying she had "omitted a lot of information" when she spoke to her family about his behaviour. Morgan had previously released Cusack when he was a coach at Leicester City.

Medical records lost, new evidence requested

On Thursday, Cartwright said the inquest needed to be delayed to allow her to request more information regarding Cusack's medical records. She stated that Sheffield United would be asked to search its Microsoft Teams folders and Google Drive records for any information related to Cusack. Additionally, an audit of her health records on the club's system in the months before her death would be requested.

The inquest had previously been told by Sheffield United's doctor, Dr Subhasis Basu, that Cusack's medical records from her time at the club had been lost. Cartwright also said she would be recalling a number of witnesses, including Basu and team physio Francesca Carr. Cusack's mother, Deborah, could also be recalled to give evidence.

The inquest, once it resumes, is expected to last five days.