A transgender man charged in the UK with sexual abuse of children has reportedly died by suicide. Maddison Wilson, 37, of Portsmouth, was scheduled to appear in court for a Wednesday plea hearing. Prosecutors told the judge that Wilson's dead body was discovered on February 14, citing the coroner's office, and the Court discontinued the case. He reportedly died by hanging, the BBC reported.
Wilson, a biological man who identified as a woman, was accused of allegedly raping a girl under the age of 13 and causing a 5-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity. These two incidents occurred in East Yorkshire in 2011. He was also charged with the sexual assault of a three-year-old boy and causing a three-year-old boy to engage in sexual activities. According to court records, both of these incidents reportedly occurred in Southhampton in 2017 and 2020, per The Sun.
A spokeswoman for the Hampshire Coroner's Office said Wilson died on February 14, with a provisional cause of death listed as a hanging. He reportedly took his life two days after his first appearance in Southhampton Crown Court. Wilson's body was discovered in Southsea.
"The defendant is now deceased. I have seen an interim death certificate. In these circumstances, the matter must be discontinued," prosecutor Matthew Lawson told the judge.
A thorough inquest has been scheduled for January 20, 2026, and Wilson's death is not being investigated as suspicious, authorities said. According to Hampshire Constabulary, "Officers will continue to engage with all parties based on the current circumstances."
Wilson, a biological man who identified as a woman, was accused of allegedly raping a girl under the age of 13 and causing a 5-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity. These two incidents occurred in East Yorkshire in 2011. He was also charged with the sexual assault of a three-year-old boy and causing a three-year-old boy to engage in sexual activities. According to court records, both of these incidents reportedly occurred in Southhampton in 2017 and 2020, per The Sun.
A spokeswoman for the Hampshire Coroner's Office said Wilson died on February 14, with a provisional cause of death listed as a hanging. He reportedly took his life two days after his first appearance in Southhampton Crown Court. Wilson's body was discovered in Southsea.
"The defendant is now deceased. I have seen an interim death certificate. In these circumstances, the matter must be discontinued," prosecutor Matthew Lawson told the judge.
A thorough inquest has been scheduled for January 20, 2026, and Wilson's death is not being investigated as suspicious, authorities said. According to Hampshire Constabulary, "Officers will continue to engage with all parties based on the current circumstances."
