Gary Speed suicide: Best man says he was happily married and not depressed
An inquest into the death of Wales football manager Gary Speed will be opened today. Photo: PA
Multimedia
Video
Speed family thankful for support
Speed's agent Hayden Evans - who was also the best man at Speed's wedding - spoke outside the family home in Cheshire, where his body was found yesterday morning. Sources confirmed the 42-year-old Speed was found hanged.
AN INQUEST into the death of Wales football manager Gary Speed will be opened today.
The 42-year-old father-of-two was found hanged at his home in Cheshire on Sunday morning.
Speaking on behalf of the footballer's widow Louise and his family, Speed's agent and best man at his wedding Hayden Evans said they had been "overwhelmed" with messages of support and condolence.
He also said the sportsman did not suffer from depression and was happily married.
When asked if Speed had any marital problems prior to his tragic death, Mr Evans told The Sun: "Louise is saying that's not the case. She just doesn't understand it. They were happily married and anyone who knows them will tell you that. This is why it's a mystery."
And when asked if the former Leeds United, Everton and Newcastle United midfielder had experienced bouts of depression, he added: "None whatsoever. The one thing the family and me as one of his closest friends would totally refute is that. There was no indication of problems and never has been."
Tributes to Speed have poured in from a host of public and sporting figures, led by Prime Minister David Cameron.
Mr Cameron said: "I know he meant an enormous amount to people and people feel very, very sad on his behalf and on his family's behalf."
The Football Association of Wales chief executive Jonathan Ford said that the organisation had received messages from Uefa and Fifa, with the Welsh flag at Fifa House in Zurich flying at half-mast.
Mr Ford said: "He was such a great person and he is such a loss."
Tottenham winger Gareth Bale, one of the brightest talents in Speed's Wales side, said it was a "massive shock".
"It is a tragedy, everyone still can't get their head around it and all our condolences go out to his family and his kids. It is a hard time," Bale told www.tottenhamhotspur.com.
Supporters have left scarves, football shirts and flowers across several football stadiums - including Everton's Goodison Park, Leeds United's Elland Road, Newcastle United's St James' Park and The Millennium Stadium and Cardiff City Stadium, where Wales played their home games.
The FAW has opened a book of condolences at its offices in Cardiff allowing fans to express their feelings about Speed's death.
The inquest is expected to be opened and adjourned at Warrington Coroner's Court later today.
Press Association
