Former Manchester City youth player and Bury defender Courtney Meppen-Walter has died at the age of 32, his former club announced on Tuesday.
No details have been announced regarding the circumstances of the defender's death.
Bury FC released a statement confirming his passing on Tuesday morning, offering condolences to his family and friends.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Courtney Meppen-Walter, at the age of 32," the club statement read. "The thoughts and condolences of everyone at Bury FC are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time."
Meppen-Walter became a father for the third time in July when he welcomed his second daughter. The 32-year-old leaves behind two daughters and a son.
Family and friends gathered for a candlelight vigil on Tuesday night following the announcement. Mourners released balloons and fireworks in honour of the defender.
Tributes and early career
Meppen-Walter began his football career in the youth set-up at Manchester City, a Premier League club based in North West England. He progressed through the academy ranks and captained England's Under-18 side, representing the national team's youth development system.
His career at Manchester City ended in 2013 after he was jailed for 16 months for causing the death of two people by careless driving. He was released by Manchester City following the court verdict.
Kulwant Singh, 32, and his sister Ravel Kaur, 37, were both pronounced dead at the scene following a high-speed crash in Manchester.
Mr Singh and Ms Kaur had arrived in the United Kingdom from Afghanistan in 2001 to start a new life after fleeing persecution by the Taliban. The court heard that alcohol played no part in the deaths of Mr Singh and Ms Kaur.
Imprisonment and return to football
Meppen-Walter was released from prison after serving half of his 16-month sentence. Following his release, the defender joined Carlisle United, a professional football club based in Cumbria, where he spent two seasons.
After leaving Carlisle United, Meppen-Walter spent the remainder of his playing career in non-league football, the tier below the English Football League.
His subsequent career included spells at Ashton United, Stockport County, Glossop North End, Chorley, AFC Telford United, Radcliffe, Guiseley and Nantwich Town, before joining Bury.
Meppen-Walter was released by Bury in the summer of 2025 following a loan spell at Stalybridge Celtic.
Drink-driving conviction and court appearance
In 2019, while playing for Chorley, Meppen-Walter was banned from driving for 22 months after being caught drink-driving in Manchester city centre.
Police stopped his vehicle in the city centre, and he was arrested and taken to a police station. A breath test registered 85 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, compared to the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
Magistrates ordered him to serve a 12-month community order and complete 80 hours of unpaid work in addition to the 22-month driving ban.
"I know what you are probably thinking and what everyone else is thinking," Meppen-Walter said in court during his appearance. "I will probably get called every name under the sun and I deserve it. I'm just embarrassed."
A pre-sentence probation report noted that his drink-driving reflected "poor judgment" considering his previous conviction, adding that "again he has failed to consider the consequences of his actions".
Defence solicitor Caitriona McLaughlin argued in mitigation that Meppen-Walter showed genuine remorse throughout the legal proceedings. "The most significant mitigation in this case is his genuine remorse which has been reflected throughout. He is truly sorry for his actions," she said. "It was a mistake and it is the one and only drink mistake on his record."
Chairwoman of the bench Margaret Hutchinson issued a stern warning when sentencing the footballer. "We hope this will be a lesson to you and we will not see you in court again," she said. "Drink-driving is a very serious matter and the consequences could have been much graver than today."
