A coroner has issued a formal apology to the family of footballer Maddy Cusack after the inquest into her death was postponed for a further six months, a move described as causing significant distress.
New Evidence Delays Proceedings
The hearing, which had been scheduled to begin on 5 January, was adjourned after Cusack's family received a substantial 699 pages of new evidence from Sheffield United Football Club just ten days before Christmas. Lawyers for the family labelled the timing of this disclosure as "totally unacceptable" given the proximity to the planned start date.
Maddy Cusack, a 27-year-old midfielder who had played more than 100 games for Sheffield United Women, was found dead at her home in Derbyshire in September 2023. The inquest into her death has faced multiple delays throughout 2025.
Clash Over Compliance and Timelines
At a hearing at Chesterfield Town Hall, Dean Armstrong KC, representing the Cusack family remotely, criticised the club for ignoring repeated requests to meet a specific timeline for evidence submission in autumn 2025. He stated the family had to review the voluminous new material over the Christmas period during an already profoundly difficult time.
However, Joseph O'Brien KC, representing Sheffield United, "rejected wholeheartedly" any suggestion of non-compliance. He asserted the club had complied with all requirements and acted in good faith to keep the original January hearing date viable. The coroner, Sophie Cartwright, agreed the club had complied chronologically with requests but repeatedly apologised for the resulting delays to the family.
Further Uncertainty Over Dates
The new provisional start date for the inquest is now 29 June, with up to two weeks allocated for the proceedings. However, this date could face further disruption. Cusack's former manager at Sheffield United, Jonathan Morgan, who appeared via video link, informed the court he was unsure if his wife had booked a holiday for early July.
Coroner Cartwright instructed Morgan to clarify his availability within 24 hours. Morgan, who is among more than 20 witnesses expected to give evidence, also stated he would represent himself without a qualified lawyer, despite being reminded of available legal support options.
In an attempt to prevent further setbacks, a strict deadline for all evidence has been set for mid-May, six weeks before the new hearing date. The coroner directly addressed the Cusack family, saying, "You have been in my thoughts, particularly over Christmas."
