Gary Speed's Death 'May Have Been Accident' - Sky News

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6:36pm UK, Monday January 30, 2012

Gary Speed died from hanging but his death may have been an accident, a coroner has ruled, after his wife told the inquest into his death they "had words" on the morning he died.

Recording a narrative verdict, Cheshire coroner Nicholas Rheinberg said there was no evidence to suggest the Wales football manager intended to take his own life.

He said it was possible Speed could have "nodded off" while sitting with cable round his neck on the stairs in his garage.

Speed, 42, was found on November 27 at the family home in Huntington, near Chester.

Earlier, Speed's wife Louise told the hearing they had "had words" on the morning she found him hanged.

:: Read updates from the inquest as it happened

Giving evidence, Mrs Speed began crying as she described how she found her husband's body in a garage and went on to tell how she had tried in vain to revive him.

She said they had been driven back from a party together shortly after midnight and "had an exchange of words about something and nothing" when they got home.

Mrs Speed left the house at 1.15am, which was the last time she saw him alive.

She told how when she returned a short time later, the house was locked and she could not get hold of her husband so she slept in the car. She awoke at 6am and got inside the house, finding his body a short time later.

Her husband - who played for Sheffield United, Everton, Newcastle, Leeds and Bolton - had left no note, the inquest heard.

Gary Speed watches his team play England during his time as Wales manager

Describing their text conversation days before his death, she said it referred to their "ups and downs" but went on about "how important the boys were" and about "moving forward".

She said he "dismissed" the idea of killing himself, and he was "excited" about his future with his family.

The inquest also heard evidence from Gary Speed's parents and former England footballer Alan Shearer, who told the inquest he was "shocked to hear of his friend's death".

Richard Bevan, of the League Footballer's Association, read a statement from Mrs Speed and her family outside court after the verdict.

He said: "Gary's death and the manner of it made Sunday, November 27, the worst day of our lives.

"Throughout the nine weeks since, there have been some very dark moments, which we have all had to find different ways to endure.

"Now we have to adapt to the future without a husband, father, brother and son.

"Gary's memory shines brightly in our thoughts and we will forever remember the wonderful times we shared with him and the deep love and affection he offered so freely to our close-knit family."