Speed death ‘accident’ riddle
FORMER Wales manager Gary Speed may have killed himself accidentally, a coroner ruled yesterday, despite hearing evidence that the 42-year-old “talked in terms of taking his life” in the days before his death.
Speed’s widow Louise said the couple had argued on the November night before he was found hanged in his garage, and that his job had put a strain on their marriage. Cheshire coroner Nicholas Reinberg gave the cause of death as hanging but recorded a narrative verdict, saying there was insufficient evidence to determine whether Speed had intended to take his own life.
Reinberg added that the former Leeds, Newcastle, Everton and Boltonmidfielder could have “nodded off” while sitting on the stairs with cable tied around his neck.
No note was found and doctors said Speed had shown no signs suffering from mental health issues.