The inquest into the death of former Sheffield United midfielder Maddy Cusack has now been pushed back once again and Coroner Sophie Cartwright has formally apologised to the family for the long wait and emotional strain that has followed.
The hearing, which had originally been scheduled to begin earlier, will now start on June 29, with two full weeks set aside to ensure it can finally reach its conclusion.
Cusack, who died aged 27, was found at her home on Lady Lea Road in Horsley, Derbyshire, on September 20, 2023. Police confirmed at the time there were no suspicious circumstances.
An inquest had been due to begin on Monday, but it was postponed shortly before Christmas due to delays in disclosure of information to the family.
The coroner acknowledged the situation, making her position clear as she addressed the delay and the new time frame.
She emphasised that the Cusack family had already waited a significant period for answers, and that the court intended to give the case the space and clarity it required.
Less than a week after the player’s death, her family filed a written complaint to Sheffield United, raising concerns regarding issues they said arose from her relationship with then-head coach Jonathan Morgan.
The club launched an internal investigation and, by December 2023, concluded it had found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, the Football Association began its own investigation in January 2024, explaining that its purpose was “to understand whether or not any further action is required under our jurisdiction within football”.
The FA report was shared with the coroner in January, although it will not be published until the inquest is complete.
Morgan was later dismissed by Sheffield United in February 2024 following information that emerged about a previous relationship he had with a player during his time at Leicester: a dismissal unrelated to the FA’s investigation.
The rescheduled inquest dates also had to work around Morgan’s availability, after he indicated potential clashes with a pre-booked family holiday.
As proceedings moved forward, there were firm words from Dean Armstrong KC, representing the Cusack family. He described the delays in disclosure as “unacceptable” and said they had had “a clear impact” on the family’s health, adding that there had been “a cavalier attitude” to disclosure.
In response, the coroner formally apologised to the family for the “additional upset” caused by the disruptions and agreed no further material should be submitted beyond a cut-off point six weeks before the inquest begins.
The Blades, represented by Joseph O’Brien KC, strongly rejected any suggestion that the club had slowed the process, saying they “rejected entirely” claims of non-compliance and argued it was “wholly without merit” to suggest they contributed to delays.
The FA confirmed it will continue to assist, providing transcripts of two Microsoft Teams conversations between Cusack and Morgan, while also compiling a comprehensive document bundle for all parties.
The inquest now moves toward June, carrying emotion, scrutiny and the continued search for clarity, while the Cusack family waits for long-promised answers.
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