An inquiry into the passing of former Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack has been rescheduled to commence on June 29, with the coroner expressing regret to her family for the delays impacting the case.
Cusack, who passed away at the age of 27, was discovered at her residence on Lady Lea Road, Horsley, Derbyshire on September 20, 2023, with authorities stating no signs of foul play. The inquest, slated to begin in December, was postponed due to delays in sharing information with Cusack’s family.
Coroner Sophie Cartwright confirmed a two-week period starting June 29 for the inquest to wrap up, recognizing the prolonged wait endured by the Cusack family. Following Cusack’s demise, her family filed a complaint to Sheffield United alleging issues stemming from her relationship with the team’s former head coach, Jonathan Morgan.
Subsequently, the club investigated the matter and in December 2023, announced no evidence of misconduct was found. In January 2024, the Football Association initiated its own inquiry to determine if further action within football regulations was necessary.
The FA report was provided to the coroner in January, pending publication post the inquest. Morgan was dismissed by Sheffield United in February 2024 over revelations of a past relationship with a player during his tenure at Leicester City, unrelated to the FA probe.
Inquest dates were arranged based on Morgan’s availability, as he noted a potential conflict with a pre-planned family vacation during a recent hearing. Representing the Cusack family, Dean Armstrong KC criticized the delays in document dissemination as unacceptable, negatively affecting their well-being.
Mr. Armstrong highlighted a lackadaisical approach to disclosure, prompting the coroner to apologize for the additional distress caused by the delays. The court agreed that no material should be shared beyond a specified deadline preceding the inquest start.
Joseph O’Brien KC, representing the club, strongly refuted any allegations of non-compliance with legal orders, emphasizing the club did not contribute to the delay. The FA pledged to aid the court by providing call transcripts and compiling essential documents for all involved parties at the inquest.