Maddy Cusack feared stigmatization due to mental health problems, an inquest reveals

Former Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack feared she would be stigmatized and ridiculed because of her mental health problems, an inquest revealed. The 27-year-old athlete was found dead at her home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on September 20, 2023. Her father, David Cusack, told Chesterfield Coroner's Court that being reunited with a trainer she didn't like and changes to her contract had left her demotivated. He said: "We thought he was depressed, not that he wanted to commit suicide."

David Cusack told a court his daughter's life became "unpleasant" because of manager Jonathan Morgan while she was playing for Leicester City. He stated that Maddy had "never encountered Morgan's character" before, including "his way of treating people." His daughter was "very happy" when she left Leicester in 2019 and was enjoying life playing part-time for Sheffield United while also working full-time in his marketing team.

Her father described Maddy as "the happiest she had ever been" on Christmas Day, before she died. However, he told the inquest she was "depressed" to learn Morgan would join the club in February 2023. The inquest revealed that Cusack had stopped being as strict about her diet before her death. Her father said: "I think she was unmotivated towards the end. She didn't allow herself to be neglected, but she was demotivated or depressed."

Morgan, who is representing himself at the inquest, asked Cusack if he knew his daughter had left Leicester with a biceps injury that limited her playing time. Cusack said he believed his daughter did not play in Leicester's matches because of a "personality clash". He also told the inquest that a new contract to play full-time for Sheffield United, awarded to her in June 2023, made it more difficult for her to work in marketing - which had become a part-time role - and actually ended up with her being lower paid. Cusack told the court that the contract was "the worst thing that could have happened."

"We knew she wasn't happy with the way things were going. She got sick in July. I believe it was a result of the contract," he said. "The contract was delayed for most of the summer. She was nervous, worried about how she would be able to combine these two roles. The money was less than the previous year. She lost her joy of life." Cusack said his daughter often worked seven days a week, with practices and marketing on weekdays and games on the weekend. By August she was "sick" and "miserable", he told the court. "She lost her energy. She was nervous, worried [about] how she would combine her roles. She had no free time," he said. “It all came down to the relationship with Mr. Morgan, who should have started over with her in February.”

When asked about Maddy's comment that she had no "future", her father said: "She had to give something up. She couldn't go on living like this. We thought she was depressed, not that she wanted to commit suicide." The investigation revealed that Sheffield United had not offered any psychotherapy or other support to the player and that her doctor had given her sick leave for her time off work. Cusack said his daughter, who was prescribed medication, felt she would use her health if she didmental health as an "excuse", she would be "out" of the team, and she was afraid of stigmatization and ridicule. "It wouldn't be the first time an organization stigmatized someone who wasn't well enough to work," he said. Her doctor, Dr Bhatti, also gave evidence, telling the court: "She was upset, couldn't sleep and had disturbing thoughts. "We discussed taking sick leave but she wasn't sure because she didn't want to be stigmatised. "Maddy didn't want a specific diagnosis on her leave, so it said 'generally unhealthy'."

Her father told the court the club "failed to provide any support" for Maddy. He also described finding his daughter unconscious and trying to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. "After her death, we wanted - and still want - those we believe to be responsible to be held accountable," he said. "Instead of just letting it go, 'what a shame', I decided to write down what problems she was having, what she was telling us about her problems, and make a complaint. "The person in the line of fire is Mr Morgan. "I wanted to express our complaints." Sheffield United's own investigation, completed in December 2023, found no evidence of any wrongdoing. The investigation continues.