Key facts
- Maddy Cusack's girlfriend told an inquest that her eating habits changed after former manager Jonathan Morgan allegedly made a comment about her weight.
- Riglar stated that Morgan had previously called Cusack 'psycho' from the sideline during a match at a previous club.
- Riglar said Cusack felt uncomfortable during a meeting with Morgan where he issued rules for player-relationships.
- Cusack was found dead at her home on September 20, 2023, at the age of 27.
- Riglar believes Morgan joining Sheffield United was a significant factor contributing to Cusack's death.
An inquest has heard that the girlfriend of late Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack stated that her eating habits changed after former manager Jonathan Morgan allegedly made a comment about her weight. Grace Riglar told Chesterfield coroner’s court that Morgan had previously called Cusack a “psycho” from the sideline during a match at a previous club.
Riglar, who played alongside Cusack for one season, described Cusack as a “very caring soul who always wanted the best for people.” She told the inquest that after Morgan arrived at Sheffield United in February 2023, he summoned players in relationships to a meeting where he issued rules for player-relationships. Riglar said this meeting made Cusack “uncomfortable”.
Morgan, representing himself at the inquest, questioned Riglar, and they disagreed on whether Cusack had an injury that would have ruled her out of playing in his first match. Riglar stated Cusack felt it was a “personal attack” from Morgan for not starting her.
Cusack was found dead at her family’s home in Derbyshire on September 20, 2023, at the age of 27. Riglar described Cusack as “fidgety, very erratic and scrolling on Indeed looking at jobs” during a trip earlier in the month, and was unsure if Cusack was aware she had recently been prescribed medication for anxiety.
Riglar said Cusack had expressed anxiety about Morgan becoming Sheffield United's manager, noting a “really good environment” under the previous manager Neil Redfearn. Riglar also said Cusack told her Morgan had made a comment about her fitness or weight, after which her eating habits changed.
Riglar believes Morgan joining Sheffield United was a “big part” of factors contributing to Cusack's death. Cusack's line manager, Eoin Doyle, described her as a “good, trustworthy employee” and recalled her appearing to have “sunken into herself” in August 2023. Doyle also stated Morgan had “expressed concern” about Cusack’s demeanour in the weeks leading up to her death.