A talented Team GB footballer who won a bronze medal for the UK alongside her wife took her own life just days before Christmas, a coroner has ruled.
Defender Gemma Wiseman, 33, helped guide Great Britain to a third-place finish at the World Deaf Football Championship in Italy in 2016.
She was described in a family statement read to the hearing as a ‘loving wife and mother’.
Mrs Wiseman was found in woodland close to her home in Rackheath, near Norwich, by concerned friends who were looking for her on December 16 last year.
She died at the scene, with her medical cause of death recorded as ‘constriction of neck structures’, Monday’s inquest in Norwich was told.
Team GB footballer Defender Gemma Wiseman, 33, (pictured) was found dead in woodlands days before Christmas, with the medical cause of death being given as ‘constriction of neck structures’
Team GB footballer Gemma, right, pictured with fellow teammate and wife, Laura
Gemma and her wife Laura smiling in a touching photo on social media
A fundraiser was been launched following her death, raising more than £8,000. Gemma, right, and her wife Laura are pictured during a romantic trip to Paris together
Her wife, Laura Wiseman, said in a statement read by the coroner that they had ‘planned to go to Cornwall over Christmas’, adding: ‘I didn’t know what Gemma intended to do.’
She said she had last seen her alive earlier that day.
Chloe Callaghan said, in a statement read to the inquest, that on December 14 2023 her friend ‘was very quiet’ and ‘wasn’t her usual self’.
She said that in ‘all the years I had known Gemma’, who worked as a teaching assistant, ‘she had been very up and down with her mental health’.
‘She told me of previous dark thoughts and an attempted overdose,’ said Ms Callaghan.
She said Mrs Wiseman, whom she described as an ‘amazing mum and devoted wife’, had attempted to take her own life on December 15, the night before her death.
Mrs Wiseman’s mother-in-law, Christine Wiseman, said in a statement read by the coroner: ‘To my knowledge Gemma has always suffered with her mental health since an interview she did in 2017.
‘She was asked about her dad, who passed away when she was five.’
In a family statement, Mrs Wiseman was described as a ‘kindred spirit to all of us’.
They said she was a ‘loving wife and mother – she always put other people first before herself’.
‘We have lots of happy memories we will treasure,’ the family said.
Norfolk area coroner Yvonne Blake concluded that Mrs Wiseman died by suicide.
She said: ‘I’ve been told she was a former Team GB footballer – that’s an achievement, isn’t it?’
She asked family members who attended court what position she played in, and was told she was a defender.
The coroner said Mrs Wiseman was medicated for depression and anxiety, and a therapeutic level of an antidepressant was found in her blood.
Wiseman won bronze at the Deaf World Championship alongside her wife in 2016
Gemma Wiseman (centre) was found dead in woodland off Wilkinson Road in Rackheath, near Norwich (she is pictured with England squad member Lucindha Lawson, right, and wife Laura)
Gemma Wiseman alongside the other members of Team GB during their bronze medal run at the 2016 World Deaf Football Championships in Italy
She said Mrs Wiseman had previously ‘taken overdoses including paracetamol’.
‘Her friends say her mood had dipped before her death for about a month… don’t know why but it suddenly dipped,’ the coroner said.
‘She put it down to stresses of life, child, working.’
She added that she was ‘very low in mood for at least a month or six weeks before she died’.
She said Mrs Wiseman ‘seemed to have a bunch of good friends who were keen to help her and unfortunately found Gemma deceased in the woods’.
After recording that Mrs Wiseman died by suicide, she told family members who attended court: ‘I’m very sorry – it’s such a horrible thing to have happened for all of you.
‘People feel so bad afterwards and tend to blame themselves.
‘The sad fact is if somebody is determined to do it they probably will, that’s my experience.’
She added that Mrs Wiseman ‘obviously made an impact on people’s lives and they cared enough to say so’.
Wiseman, who worked as a teaching assistant and idolised England legend David Beckham, left behind her ‘devastated’ wife Laura – who is also deaf – and their three-year-old daughter, Allie.
Gemma and Laura were devoted to one another and started dating in 2011 having met while playing football. They tied the knot on July 26, 2018, with Laura giving birth to their daughter almost exactly two years later, on July 24, 2020.
Gemma Wiseman, right, who worked as a teaching assistant, took her own life, a coroner ruled
The pair shared a funny photo announcing Laura’s pregnancy on December 28, 2019, with Laura wearing an ‘I’m pregnant’ shirt while wife Gemma scratched her head in a ‘I’m not the father’ T-shirt
After her death, a GoFundMe page was set up and has raised £8,295 – with tributes pouring out in honour of the ‘kind and caring’ footballer, who championed disability sports and was a mentor for young players in her home county.
A statement posted on the site said Gemma’s family and friends were ‘absolutely devastated’ by her tragic death.
‘Gemma was a kind and caring person with a great sense of humour. Everywhere she went she brought laughter and energy with her and easily made friends with anyone who was lucky enough to meet her,’ the page said.
‘Gemma leaves behind her devoted wife, Laura, and three-year-old daughter who are at a complete loss without her.
‘We are kindly asking for donations to help pay for Gemma’s funeral and give her the send-off she truly deserves. So, if you are able to donate anything at all this would be hugely appreciated.
‘Laura is extremely grateful for everyone’s help and support at this difficult time.’
In a post on Facebook, Laura thanked people for their support and added: ‘It’s okay to not be okay xx.’
Wiseman, born on January 28, 1990, in Plymouth, Devon, had worked as a teaching assistant while she continued to play football for a number of local clubs.
As well as taking bronze at the 2016 World Deaf Football Championships in Italy, her sparkling career on the pitch also saw her scooping a third place at the 2013 Deaflympics in Bulgaria, and another third at European Football Championship 2011 for Team GB.
Speaking about those successes with the Norfolk FA, she said: ‘My biggest achievement is winning Bronze in Italy and it was the best team. We gave everything in those games, and it meant a lot to all of us. My other biggest achievements are getting the England FA caps and Olympic medal.’
Off the pitch, she was a devoted mother and loving wife, regularly sharing snapshots of her family life on social media.
She also acted as a role model for other young deaf players, taking part in events across Norfolk to support grassroots football.
Speaking about her passion, Wiseman told the Norfolk FA in 2021 it was vital youngsters had someone to look up to.
Gemma, left, with her wife, Laura. Her former team-mate, Lucindha Lawson, paid an emotional tribute to ‘one of the most wonderful human beings’
Gemma, who played for England’s deaf squad, was proud of her sporting achievements – and shared this image of her first cap for the Lionesses on social media
Admitting her idol as a girl was former England captain David Beckham, she added: ‘Girls who are not sure about playing football, you never know until you try and follow your heart.
‘It’s important to have the girls look up to as role models, so they can prove them wrong and be able to play the sport that they enjoy.’
Lucindha Lawson, a team-mate of Wiseman’s, paid an emotional tribute to ‘one of the most wonderful human beings’ on Instagram, just a couple of days after her death.
Alongside a reel of pictures together, Lawson wrote: ‘Gemma Louise Wiseman (Sanders) wasn’t just a team-mate and roommate; she was one of the most wonderful human beings – funny, caring, and truly special.
‘As my roommate at the Deaflympics in 2013, we shared countless memorable moments, even when we were left out because the other villas were too far away from ours alone.
‘Moreover, I’ll never forget the night out in Bristol during the GB training camp, sneaking into the town centre with a few girls. She drove us there, I believe, and what a brilliant night it was.
‘We didn’t get caught red-handed the next day (everyone knows about it now, but who cares anyway?!). We journeyed together as a team to Bulgaria for the Deaflympics in 2013, Bulgaria for the Euros in 2014, Thailand for the Worlds in 2015, and Italy for the Worlds in 2016. Our early 20s were filled with unforgettable parties and adventures.’
She continued: ‘Gemma, it was a great privilege to have played beside you, one of the greatest players I’ve known, and to know you as a person. I had the honour of attending your beautiful wedding.
Gemma and Laura share a festive picture together back in 2016
‘Thank you for having my part in your life; it means a million to me. The memories of those moments will be cherished forever. I deeply regret not doing more for our friendship, but I take comfort in knowing that you are no longer suffering. May you rest in peace without pain.
‘I will always be here to support Laura in any way possible for you. Fly high, and I trust my brother will take care of you on my behalf. Love you, will miss you, and see you later.’
Well-wishers were left distraught by Wiseman’s death, leaving messages of support for her family on her GoFundMe page.
‘So sad to hear this. I didn’t know Gemma but recognise her from the Deaf festival. I remember Gemma and Laura bringing Allie to the bear clinic to get some hearing aids for her bear,’ a commenter said.
Another added: ‘I’m so sorry to read this. We worked together back in 2014 for Break. Gemma had the sweetest kindest soul. We then saw each other on Sunday mornings as our little girls played football together. A happy, friendly face I would see now and again. So so sorry. Rest in peace lovely lady.’
A third person said: ‘Our thoughts are with you Laura and Allie. Gemma always had such a wonderful smile and bubbly personality when we bumped in to you around Blofield.’
Gemma and Laura were both champions of women’s football, and eagerly supported young female players getting into the game. Gemma also championed mental health charities online.
The pair supported Norfolk FA’s Inclusive Football Festival for Girls, with Laura saying: ‘It’s important for girls to have a role model so they can see that we can do it, and nothing is stopping us from playing the sport we love.’
In a statement to MailOnline after her death, Norfolk FA said: ‘All at Norfolk County FA are deeply saddened to hear the news of Gemma Wiseman, who tragically died shortly before Christmas. Our thoughts go to Gemma’s family and friends at this difficult time.
‘Gemma was a keen footballer who was well known to the County FA as a player for local teams as well as competing internationally with the England and GB deaf squads.
‘Gemma’s family are kindly asking for donations to help pay for Gemma’s funeral and give her the send-off she truly deserves.’
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details
