Maddy Cusack inquest adjourned over evidence request

An inquest into the death of former Sheffield United footballer Maddy Cusack has been adjourned until December.

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.

An inquest into her death, which started at Chesterfield Coroner's Court on 29 June, was due to conclude on 27 July.

Assistant coroner Sophie Cartwright KC apologised to Cusack's family for the delay before adjourning the hearing until 7 December, to allow Sheffield United to search for documents linked to her medical records.

The inquest had heard 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 had described the coach as her daughter's "nemesis", adding he had 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, had told the court Cusack was "anxious" about Morgan joining the club after her experience of working with him at Leicester City.

Giving evidence, Morgan said he had no concerns about his relationship with Cusack when he joined Sheffield United as manager.

He told the inquest on Tuesday that he had offered Cusack a full-time contract at the club and was "really happy" to have her in his team.

However, the inquest heard 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.

He had previously released the player when he was a coach at Leicester City, the inquest was told.

On Thursday, Cartwright said the inquest needed to be delayed to allow her to request more information regarding Cusack's medical records.

She said Sheffield United would be asked to look into its Microsoft Teams folders and Google Drive records for any information related to Cusack, and an audit of her health records on the club's system in the months before she died 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.

Speaking to Cusack's family, the assistant coroner said: "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."

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.

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