Hayden Evans: “Gary Speed was not depressed and had not argued with his wife before hanging himself”

Gary Speed, the Welsh soccer team manager, was not depressed and had not argued with his wife before being found hanged at his home, says Hayden Evans, his agent and a close friend.

Gary Speed’s agent and best man Hayden Evans said of his friend was “happily married” and that his widow Louise is bewildered by his suspected suicide.

Hayden Evans said: “They were happily married and anyone who knows them will tell you that. This is why it is a mystery.

“We genuinely at the moment have no clue whatsoever what has caused it and I have been with the family all day.

“Everybody is asking the same question and no one has an answer. We are all in shock.”

When asked about the circumstances behind Gary Speed’s death and whether he had argued with Louise before killing himself, Hayden Evans added: “Louise is saying that’s not the case. She just doesn’t understand it.”

When asked if Gary Speed had suffered bouts of depression, Hayden Evans told The Sun “none whatsoever”.

Hayden Evans said: “The one thing the family and me as one of his closest friends would totally refute is that. There was no indication of any problems and never has been.”

Gary Speed, 42, appeared happy as he left the BBC studios in Salford on Saturday afternoon after filming Football Focus. Louise Speed found him hanged in the garage of their £1.5 million ($2.3 million) mansion near Chester just after 7:00 a.m. on Sunday.

On Monday, as tributes to Gary Speed continued to pour in from across the sporting world, police were preparing for the delicate task of speaking to his wife, Louise, 40, and their two teenage sons.

As they struggled to come to terms with his death, Hayden Evans spoke of how they had been “overwhelmed” by the outpouring of sympathy over the past 24 hours.

“Gary’s family would sincerely like to thank all the people who have sent messages of condolence and tributes in what is a very difficult time,” said Hayden Evans.

“They have been overwhelmed by the support – it really has helped. You can imagine how Louise is feeling.”

A pile of tributes including flowers, footballs and soccer shirts was growing at the gates at the end of Gary Speed’s drive last night as a steady stream of fans came to pay their respects.

Yesterday officials at the Welsh Football Association promised to support the family and offer them a “shoulder to cry on” in the coming weeks.

Chief executive Jonathan Ford said: “I’ve no understanding of why it happened, I don’t know the answer and I don’t think we ever will.

“At the moment our thoughts aren’t with that – they are with Gary’s family.

“He was a family man, he loved his wife and children.

“We will do whatever we can to help Louise and the boys.”

Both Gary Speed’s sons are promising sportsmen, 14-year-old Ed is a talented footballer and his 13-year-old brother Tommy a keen boxer.

Cheshire Police confirmed that Gary Speed’s death was being treated as “non-suspicious”.

An inquest will be opened and adjourned today in Warrington.