His passing shocked the football world, just hours after he had appeared as a guest on the BBC's Football Focus show.
The 42-year-old joined Wanderers in July 2004 and left in January 2008.
He played 121 league games for the club and scored 14 goals during his three-and-a-half year stint.
He was found hanged at his home in Huntington, Chester, just after 7am.
Speed, who was awarded the MBE in 2010, was Wales manager at the time.
Whites fans paid their respects by laying tributes at the Reebok Stadium and, at the time, chairman Phil Gartside summed up the affection for one of the club's model professionals.
He said: "He was a really fantastic bloke to have around and I am really shocked.
“I think he was one the nicest guys in football. We were privileged to have him at Bolton.
“Aside from the football, he was just one of those nice guys."