The long-awaited inquest into the death of Sheffield United footballer Maddy Cusack has been postponed once more, with a coroner formally apologising to her family for the series of delays that have plagued the proceedings.
New Date Set After Repeated Postponements
The hearing is now scheduled to begin on June 29, 2026. Coroner Sophie Cartwright stated she intends to set aside two full weeks to ensure the inquest can conclude, acknowledging the Cusack family had already “waited a long time” for the process to take place. The inquest had been due to start in early January but was postponed just before Christmas, primarily due to delays in the disclosure of information to Ms Cusack’s family.
Maddy Cusack was found dead at her home on Lady Lea Road in Horsley, Derbyshire, on September 20, 2023. She was 27 years old. Derbyshire Police stated at the time that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.
Family's Complaint and Club Investigation
Less than a week after her tragic passing, the Cusack family submitted a written complaint to Sheffield United. They alleged that Maddy had been facing issues stemming from her relationship with the club's then-head coach, Jonathan Morgan.
The club launched an investigation and, in December 2023, announced it had found no evidence of wrongdoing. Subsequently, The Football Association (FA) began its own independent investigation in January 2024, aiming to determine if any action within its jurisdiction was required. The FA's report was shared with the coroner in January 2025 but will not be made public until the inquest concludes.
Legal Frustrations and Further Apologies
During a hearing to set the new date, Dean Armstrong KC, representing the Cusack family, criticised the delays in sending crucial documents as “unacceptable”. He stated these holdups had a “clear impact” on the family's health and accused certain parties of a “cavalier attitude” towards disclosure.
Coroner Cartwright apologised to the family for the “additional upset” caused by the delays. She agreed with a submission from Mr Armstrong that no new material should be supplied after a cut-off point six weeks before the inquest starts.
The scheduling was also contingent on the availability of Jonathan Morgan, who informed the coroner the proposed dates might clash with a pre-booked family holiday. Morgan was sacked by Sheffield United in February 2024 after information emerged about a past relationship with a player during his tenure at Leicester City. The club stated this dismissal was unrelated to the FA's investigation into matters concerning Maddy Cusack.
Joseph O’Brien KC, acting for Sheffield United, said the club “rejected entirely” any suggestion of non-compliance with court orders and that it was “wholly without merit” to imply the club had contributed to the inquest's delay. The FA has committed to assisting the court by providing transcripts of calls and collating documentation for all parties.
