A judicial investigation into the death of Gary Speed has concluded that he may have taken his own life by accident.

The 42-year-old father of two, who played for Leeds, Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United, was found hanged by his wife at their home in Cheshire, northwest England, on November 27.

The coroner told the court that although he definitely died by hanging, “the evidence does not sufficiently determine whether this was intentional or accidental”. The coroner further suggested that Speed may have fallen asleep whilst wrapping a cable around his neck on the stairs of his garage.