The heartbreak of losing a loved one is hard enough.
But for the family of Maddy Cusack — the 27-year-old Sheffield United midfielder who died in September 2023 — that pain has been compounded by unanswered questions and what they describe as a lack of openness around the investigations into her death.
Now, as the legal process continues to unfold, her family is speaking out once again — not just to get justice, but to ensure her story is fully understood.
Family Voices Frustration Over Missing Documents and Redactions
At a recent pre-inquest hearing, the Cusack family’s legal representative, Maria Mulla, expressed serious concerns about the information they’ve been given.
While the Football Association (FA) has shared a report with the family, Mulla says the version they received had missing pages and was heavily redacted.
“The family wants some transparency,” she told the court. “It’s not an unreasonable request.”
But Coroner Sophie Cartwright stood by the current protocol, stating that the case was being handled in accordance with the Worcestershire principles.
In short, while all parties — including the FA — have submitted unredacted documents to the coroner, not everything will be shared publicly or with the family due to redactions deemed necessary by the court.
A Delayed Inquest and a Family Left Waiting
Maddy’s inquest was originally expected to move ahead earlier this year.
Now, it’s unlikely to begin before mid-July. A fourth pre-inquest review has been penciled in for June 3 at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court — but a final date for the full three-day inquest still hasn’t been set.
For a grieving family, this kind of limbo only adds to the emotional toll.
A Beloved Teammate, a Milestone Player, and So Much More
Cusack wasn’t just another name on the squad list.
She was Sheffield United’s longest-serving player on the women’s team, and the first to reach the 100-appearance milestone.
Off the pitch, she worked as a marketing executive for the club — a role that showcased her dedication and versatility.
She was also vice-captain of the team, deeply embedded in both the sport and the organization she represented.
Claims of a Shift Tied to Management Change
One of the key concerns voiced by the family centers around Maddy’s relationship with former Sheffield United manager Jonathan Morgan.
In a statement shared in court, Maddy’s father, David Cusack, pointed to a specific timeline: February 2023 — the month Morgan was appointed — as the beginning of a noticeable decline in her mental well-being.
The family described Maddy as “a happy-go-lucky, carefree girl with everything to live for,” and said that by Christmas 2022, she was “at her happiest.”
But something, they say, changed after February.
While Morgan has denied any wrongdoing, and Sheffield United’s internal investigation concluded in December with no evidence of misconduct, the family remains unsettled.
FA Investigation Adds More Layers — But Still Few Answers
On top of the club’s review, the Football Association launched its own investigation.
Those findings were submitted to the coroner in January 2024.
However, as mentioned earlier, the family says the version of the report they received is incomplete — and that’s what’s feeding their deepening frustration.
In February 2024, Sheffield United ultimately parted ways with Jonathan Morgan — not because of the Cusack case, according to the club, but due to new information about a past relationship with a player during his time managing Leicester City Women from 2014 to 2021. Still, the Cusack family welcomed the decision.
The Call for Clarity Grows Louder
For the Cusack family, the priority now is transparency. They want a full picture of what happened and why.
As they await the start of the inquest, they continue to press for full disclosure of all documents — not just for closure, but to honor the memory of a daughter, teammate, and friend they believe the world deserves to know the truth about.