Coroner: “Hutchence Took His Own Life”
INXS frontman Michael Hutchence
was in a “severe depressed state” when he hung himself with his own
belt on the morning of Nov. 22, according to findings announced by
State Coroner Derrick Hand in New South Wales,
Australia on Friday morning.
In his first conclusive remarks on the heels of a two-month
investigation, Hand offered his condolences to Hutchence’s family
and concluded that “the deceased intended and did take his own
life.”
Distraught over a lengthy child custody battle being waged
between his lover, actress/model Paula Yates and
Sir Bob Geldof, her ex-husband, Hutchence mixed
cocaine, vodka, beer, champagne and the antidepressant drug Prozac
before taking his life in his Ritz-Carlton hotel room in Double Bay
Australia.
Hutchence’s lifeless body was found naked in a kneeling position
near the door. The coroner’s report theorizes that the singer’s
belt buckle broke loose from the belt, releasing the body to the
floor.
Alluding to widespread speculation that Hutchence may have
perished during an unusual sexual practice known as autoerotic
asphyxiation, Hand acknowledged that “there is a presumption
against suicide.” Nonetheless, Hand concluded: “Having considered
the [evidence], I am satisfied that the standard required to
conclude that this death was a suicide has been reached.”
New South Wales Police confirmed that their investigation is now
considered closed.