Courtney Meppen-Walter, the former Manchester City youth player who admitted causing the deaths of two people in a 2012 road crash, has died suddenly at the age of 32.
The Bury-born defender and midfielder had been with City since the age of nine, earning England Under-17 and Under-18 caps and captaining the latter side.
Fatal crash and sentencing
In September 2012, Meppen-Walter was driving his grandfather's Mercedes when he collided with a Nissan Micra at the junction of Great Ducie Street and Sherborne Street in Manchester city centre. He was speeding at around 56mph in a 30mph zone, a court heard.
The Nissan driver, Kulwant Singh, 32, from Salford, and his sister, front-seat passenger Ravel Kaur, 37, from Cheetham Hill, were both killed. Ms Kaur's two sons, aged 16 and 17 at the time, were injured in the crash. The victims had come to the UK in 2001 after fleeing persecution by the Taliban.
Meppen-Walter, then 18, was sentenced to 16 months in a young offenders' institution and banned from driving. He was released after four months and later posted on social media: "I wish there was a switch I could click. To turn back time. And take back everything that happened - Amen."
Later career and further offence
After being released by City, Meppen-Walter played for Carlisle United, making 42 appearances, before moves to Ashton United, Chorley, Stockport County, Radcliffe and Stalybridge Celtic. In 2019, he was convicted of drink driving, having been more than twice the legal limit in a Kia Picanto. He received a 12-month community order and a 22-month driving ban.
In December, aged 24, he signed for Bury before being released after a non-league loan in 2025. He was without a club at the time of his death.
Tributes from former clubs
Bury FC confirmed his death in a statement: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Courtney Meppen-Walter, at the age of 32. The thoughts and condolences of everyone at Bury FC are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time."
AFC Telford, Carlisle United and Chorley FC also paid tribute. No details about Meppen-Walter's death have been revealed.
