‘Come out’ row gay footie star found hanged

A RISING star of women’s football was found hanged days after a row over her girlfriend’s refusal to tell her parents about their relationship, an inquest heard.

Katie Sheppard, 20, who played for West Ham Ladies, sent angry text messages ‘shouting’ at partner Nancy Richardson.

The midfielder killed herself on July 2, hours before she was due to begin pre-season training.

Her body was found by her mother’s partner at her home in Sidcup, Kent.

An inquest at Croydon Coroner’s Court heard how police officers had to break the news of her girlfriend’s death to Ms Richardson in front of her parents.

She revealed that communication between the two had been difficult in the days before.

A diary found in Ms Sheppard’s bedroom contained a suicide note saying: “God forgive me, I sacrifice myself to you and to your kingdom.”

A police investigation and post mortem gave the cause of death as asphyxia by hanging.

Recording an open verdict the coroner said: “We are left with a situation where there’s really no explanation for why Katie died.