The inquest into the death of Maddy Cusack has been paused partway through after fresh medical evidence was introduced, with proceedings now expected to continue in December.
Cusack, the former vice-captain of Sheffield United Women, was discovered dead at her home in Horsley, Derbyshire, by her father, David Cusack, on September 20, 2023. She was 27. The inquest opened at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court on June 30, almost three years after her death.
Her family had anticipated that the hearing would reach a conclusion this week, but they must now wait at least another five months for the case to be completed.
The adjournment came after new material, understood to be medical evidence, was submitted to coroner Sophie Cartwright, alongside further evidence put forward by Cusack’s family.
A number of witnesses are expected to be called back when the inquest resumes. They include club doctor Subhashis Basu and Francesca Carr, who served as Sheffield United Women’s physiotherapist from 2021 to 2024. Former assistant physiotherapist Sean Bowskill, now based in Abu Dhabi, is also set to provide evidence.
Maddy Cusack was found dead at her home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on September 20, 2023
Manager Jonathan Morgan has defended his relationship with Cusack and denied allegations made against him at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court
Vicki Anderson, Sheffield United’s head of HR, and representatives from the Football Association had been due to give evidence this week, but their appearances have also been postponed until the resumed hearing.
Last week, the inquest heard of an ‘industrial-scale’ loss of sensitive medical data involving a record-keeping system used by women’s football clubs, including missing records relating to Maddy. Basu subsequently admitted he had failed to adequately report the data breach.
On Thursday, Cartwright ordered a forensic audit of the medical records system and instructed Sheffield United to liaise with its operators to establish who had access to Maddy’s records.
The coroner also said she would contact Sheffield Teaching Hospital to obtain Maddy’s medical records from August 2022 until the date of her death.
Maria Mulla, representing the Cusack family, asked for the hearing to resume as early in December as possible to allow the family to ‘settle’ before Christmas.
The new date is December 7, with Cartwright indicating that three to four days will likely be required.
Apologising to the family, who were visibly upset by the announcement, Cartwright acknowledged the emotional toll of the ongoing proceedings.
‘I’m so very sorry to the family in particular, to Ms Riglar (Maddy’s girlfriend), and to all the properly interested parties,’ she said.
‘I genuinely am sorry and appreciate the significance of this inquest. I’m also conscious that before we next meet there will be another anniversary of her death and birthday, and my thoughts will be with you on those two dates.’
Maddy’s family sent a written complaint to Sheffield United in the week after her death, outlining issues allegedly stemming from her relationship with the club’s coach at the time, Jonathan Morgan.
The club subsequently commissioned an external investigation, which concluded in December 2023 and found no evidence of misconduct.
In February 2024, the club dismissed Morgan after details emerged of a relationship with a teenage player while he was manager of Leicester City between 2014 and 2021.
The club said the dismissal was unrelated to the FA’s investigation, though it was welcomed by the Cusack family at the time.
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details
