Former Wales and Manchester United star Mark Hughes’ son, Alex Hughes, died of sudden adult death syndrome (SADS).
Hughes was 38. The younger Hughes fainted at his house on June 19 and was discovered by his sons.
Alex Hughes, the 38-year-old son of former Wales and Manchester United great Mark Hughes, died of SADS, or sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, according to several accounts.
Hughes’ death was ruled natural by a coroner, according to The Independent and BBC.
SADS, also known as sudden adult death syndrome, is a genetic heart disorder that can cause unexpected death in young, seemingly healthy persons, according to the SADS Foundation.
According to the British Heart Foundation, the illness is sometimes characterized as an unexpected death caused by cardiac arrest that cannot be identified.
Alex fainted on the floor of his bedroom at home in Macclesfield, Cheshire, on June 19 and was discovered by his two boys.
Hughes’ 11-year-old son administered CPR on the scene, according to an inquest at Cheshire Coroner’s Court, reported The Independent. Paramedics at the scene were unable to revive him.
“Jill and I are totally heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected loss of our beloved son Alex,” Mark Hughes, 62, said in a statement.
“Alex was a wonderful son, brother to Curtis and Xenna, devoted husband and father to Jessica and their two beautiful children Sebastian and Leonardo.”
He continued, “Alex was the player recruitment lead at Grimsby Town FC and had many excellent friends and colleagues. He will be sorely missed by all.”
Alex was most recently Grimsby Town’s player recruitment manager. His brief career included stops in Stockport and Wrexham before joining his father’s firm as a performance analyst in 2007.