Inquest into Sheffield United Footballer Maddy Cusack's Death Delayed Again
The inquest into the death of Sheffield United women's team captain Maddy Cusack has been delayed once again, with a new date set for June 29. The family had been given a late November deadline and were expecting to receive 699 pages of documents just before Christmas, but instead received a further 700 pages at the last minute.
Sheffield United has denied deliberately delaying the inquest, claiming they have made "strenuous efforts" to provide information to relevant parties. However, lawyers representing Cusack's family described the delay as "extremely disappointing", saying that it had an impact on them and made it harder for them to cope with their grief.
The inquest is expected to run for two weeks, during which time more than 20 witnesses will be called to give evidence. The full collection of documents to be used in the inquest totals over 1,000 pages.
Maddy Cusack died suddenly aged 27 in September last year, with police saying there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. However, an investigation commissioned by Sheffield United found no evidence of wrongdoing.
The Football Association also launched its own investigation into whether "further action is required under our jurisdiction within football". However, it has been reported that significant portions of the FA's final report and Sheffield United's submissions have been redacted, preventing Cusack's family and their lawyers from accessing them.
Sheffield United sacked former manager Jonathan Morgan in February last year after he was accused of making allegations about witnesses put forward by Cusack's family. Morgan will appear in person representing himself during the inquest, which is likely to be a highly emotive and confrontational hearing for those affected by Cusack's death.
The inquest has been marked by controversy from the start, with Cusack's sister Olivia previously stating that it was "the biggest thing that's ever happened" in her life, adding: "You want to think of [Maddy] at peace and that she's OK. But it's hard to picture her at peace now when there's so much chaos surrounding her death."
The inquest into the death of Sheffield United women's team captain Maddy Cusack has been delayed once again, with a new date set for June 29. The family had been given a late November deadline and were expecting to receive 699 pages of documents just before Christmas, but instead received a further 700 pages at the last minute.
Sheffield United has denied deliberately delaying the inquest, claiming they have made "strenuous efforts" to provide information to relevant parties. However, lawyers representing Cusack's family described the delay as "extremely disappointing", saying that it had an impact on them and made it harder for them to cope with their grief.
The inquest is expected to run for two weeks, during which time more than 20 witnesses will be called to give evidence. The full collection of documents to be used in the inquest totals over 1,000 pages.
Maddy Cusack died suddenly aged 27 in September last year, with police saying there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. However, an investigation commissioned by Sheffield United found no evidence of wrongdoing.
The Football Association also launched its own investigation into whether "further action is required under our jurisdiction within football". However, it has been reported that significant portions of the FA's final report and Sheffield United's submissions have been redacted, preventing Cusack's family and their lawyers from accessing them.
Sheffield United sacked former manager Jonathan Morgan in February last year after he was accused of making allegations about witnesses put forward by Cusack's family. Morgan will appear in person representing himself during the inquest, which is likely to be a highly emotive and confrontational hearing for those affected by Cusack's death.
The inquest has been marked by controversy from the start, with Cusack's sister Olivia previously stating that it was "the biggest thing that's ever happened" in her life, adding: "You want to think of [Maddy] at peace and that she's OK. But it's hard to picture her at peace now when there's so much chaos surrounding her death."
. I remember when my dad died suddenly back in 2005 and we didn't get all the information he was working on until months later... it was a mess 
. Maddy Cusack's family deserves better than to be kept in the dark for so long about what happened to their sister 
. I hope they finally get some answers at this delayed inquest. It's just two more weeks, right? 
But honestly, it feels like an eternity...
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I mean, can you believe the delay again? First it was Nov, then Jan, now June... what's going on?! 
It's like they're trying to drag this out forever. The Cusack family already had to deal with the emotional toll of losing their sister and now they have to put up with all these delays? Not cool, not cool at all 
. It's like Sheffield United is trying to hide something... but we know they didn't do anything wrong, right? 
They're just being paranoid about the FA's report or whatever... anyway, this inquest needs to get on with it already! 
this delay is just ridiculous... can't they get their act together? I mean, I'm all for fairness and transparency, but 700 pages of documents showing up at the last minute?! It's just gonna make things more stressful for Maddy's family. And what's with all these investigations? The FA launching its own thing and now Sheffield United's submissions being redacted... it's like they're trying to keep secrets 
.
. And don't even get me started on the fact that Sheffield United is trying to cover something up - all those redactions from the FA's report... it's just so unfair 
. I'm literally shaking with anger thinking about how hard this must be for Maddy's family, especially her sister Olivia 
. Can't these people just make up their minds?! 
That must be so tough for Maddy's family 
. Can't wait for the inquest to finally start on June 29 and hopefully bring some closure to this case 
Like, what even is going on here? 
That's some next-level drama right there!
. This inquest is supposed to be about finding out what happened to Maddy, not some bureaucratic game 
. The family's lawyers are right, this delay is really hurting them 
. My heart goes out to Maddy's family, it's been way too long since we got any updates 
... it's not like it's going to make a difference, but I get that the family deserves answers. Two weeks is still way too long for them to have to relive this pain 
. I mean, the inquest has been delayed like 4 times already 
. And now we find out that Sheffield United is being super secretive with some of the evidence? 
? The Cusack family deserves justice and closure, and we're all waiting for it 
.