Maddie Cusack kept her mental health a secret for fear of stigma, an inquest heard

Former Sheffield United player Maddie Cusack was concerned she would face stigma and ridicule over her mental health, an inquest has heard.

The 27-year-old was found dead at her home in Horsley, Derbyshire on 20 September 2023.

Her father, David Cusack, told Chesterfield Coroner’s Court that she had been linked to a coach she did not like and had her contract changed.

He said, “We think she is depressed, not suicidal.”

David Cusack has told his daughter that life on the court was “exciting” when she played for Leicester City under manager Jonathan Morgan.

Maddy says he’s “never met a character like Morgan,” including “the way he deals with people.”

His daughter He said she was “delighted” to leave Leicester in 2019, and was playing part-time for Sheffield United while working full-time in the marketing team.

Her father revealed Maddie was “happier than ever” at Christmas before her death.

However, Morgan told the inquiry she was “very disappointed” to learn he was joining the club in February 2023.

The inquest heard that Cusack had stopped being strict about her healthy diet before her death.

Her father said: “I think she’s down until the end. She doesn’t let herself go or anything like that. She’s down or broken.”