Wales football manager Gary Speed was found hanged at his home by his wife, an inquest in Warrington, Wales was told on Tuesday.
The 42-year-old father-of-two was found dead at his Cheshire home on Sunday morning.
Cheshir Police Detective Inspector Peter Lawless told coroner Nicholas Rheinberg that Speed's body was found by his wife Louise just before 7 a.m. Sunday.
Lawless said there appeared to be no suspicious circumstances, and a post mortem examination found Speed's death was caused by hanging.
Rheinberg then recessed the inquest until late January.
"I adjourn this inquest until January 30, 2012," Rheinberg announced at the conclusion of the day's procedings. "The inquest will be heard in Warrington and will commence at 2 p.m."
A huge media presence met the inquest in Warrington, though members of Speed's family did not attend.
The coroner asked the media to "respect the privacy" of Speed's family.
Earlier on Tuesday, Welsh Assembly Members observed a minute of silence while flags continue to fly at half mast outside the Welsh Assembly buildings Ty Hywel and the Senedd.
Speed played 16 seasons in England's Barclays Premier League, accumulating the third-most appearances in league history. A left-sided midfielder, Speed holds the record for most appearances for Wales (85), for whom he served as captain from 1998 to 2004.
Speaking on behalf of the footballer's widow, Louise, and the family, Speed's agent and best man at his wedding Hayden Evans said on Monday night they had been "overwhelmed" with messages of support and condolence.
Tributes to the former Leeds United, Everton and Newcastle United midfielder have also poured in from a host of public and sports figures, led by Great Britian Prime Minister David Cameron.
"I know he meant an enormous amount to people," Cameron said, "and people feel very, very sad on his behalf and on his family's behalf."
The Football Association of Wales chief executive Jonathan Ford said the organization had received messages from governing bodies UEFA and FIFA, with the Welsh flag at FIFA House in Zurich flying at half-mast.
"He was such a great person and he is such a loss," Ford said.
Tottenham winger Gareth Bale, one of the brightest talents in Speed's Wales side, said Speed's passing was a "massive shock."
"It is a tragedy, everyone still can't get their head around it and all our condolences go out to his family and his kids. It is a hard time," Bale told tottenhamhotspur.com.
Supporters have left scarves, soccer shirts and flowers across several football stadiums - including Everton's Goodison Park, Leeds United's Elland Road, Newcastle United's St. James' Park, and The Millennium Stadium and Cardiff City Stadium, where Wales played their home games.
The FAW has opened a book of condolences at its offices in Cardiff allowing fans to express their feelings about Speed's death.
