Gary Speed inquest: Death could have been accidental, coroner rules

Feb 2 2012 by Dave Goodban, Chester Chronicle

CORONER Nicholas Rheinberg told the inquest there was a chance – albeit unlikely – that Gary Speed’s death was an accident.

That, together with the lack of a note, meant he could not record a verdict of suicide, he said.

The court heard the ex-Sheffield United manager had been pushed into the swimming pool fully clothed at a dinner party at his friend’s home in Malpas toward the end of the evening, before the four men played water polo.

Mr Rheinberg said a wet patch left by the dad-of-two’s damp jeans on his garage staircase indicated he had been sitting down for a prolonged period with a lead wrapped around his neck.

Mr Rheinberg said Speed – who also attended Queensferry Primary School and Deeside High – could have fallen asleep and inadvertently killed himself.

“Quite what was going through his mind at that stage is unclear,” said the coroner.

“It may have been this was some kind of dramatic gesture, although that was not really in-keeping with his character.

“I can’t conceive of it as likely, but nevertheless it is a possibility, and one that I cannot entirely dismiss.”

He added: “I must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Speed intended to die and I find that the evidence falls far short of a conclusion in that respect.”

Toxicology reports showed Speed was only fractionally over the legal drink-drive limit.

Two medical experts who had come into regular contact with the 42-year-old during his professional career said they had never had concerns over his state of mind.

Sheffield United club doctor Robert Muggleton confirmed ‘no mental health issues were ever raised’, while Welsh FA physician Mark Ridgewell said Speed displayed ‘no signs or symptoms of distress or depression’.