INXS X sign Pentagram All seeing eye (people)
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Michael Hutchence
INXS
X sign Pentagram
All seeing eye (people)
singer Michael Hutchence death is strange (as is the disappearance of his assets), but one detail is almost never mentioned by the media--Hutchence was found with a broken hand, a split lip, and other indications that he had been badly beaten.
See: Pharma drug suicides
INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF MICHAEL KELLAND HUTCHENCE
I have received a completed police brief into the death of Michael Kelland
Hutchence on 22nd November, 1997, at Ritz Carlton Hotel, Double Bay. I am
satisfied that the cause of death was "hanging". I am also satisfied that there
was no other person involved in causing the death.
The question of whether the death was a suicide or not has to be considered. The
deceased was found at 11.50am naked behind the door to his room. He had
apparently hanged himself with his own belt and the buckle broke away and his
body was found kneeling on the floor and facing the door.
It has been suggested that the death resulted from an act of auto eroticism.
However, there is no forensic or other evidence to substantiate this suggestion.
I therefore, discount that manner of
death.
With regard to the question of suicide I have to be satisfied on a strong
balance of probabilities before I am able to come to such a conclusion. There is
a presumption against suicide. Having considered the extensive brief I am
satisfied that the standard required to conclude that this death was a suicide
has been reached for the following reasons:
(1) Michelle Bennett, a former de-facto of the deceased, received two telephone
calls from him on the morning of the 22nd November. The first was on an
answering machine and Mr Hutchence sounded "drunk". During the second call at
9.54am the deceased commenced to cry and according to Ms Bennett sounded "very
upset". She was concerned about his demeanour and for his welfare and told him
she would come immediately. However, when she arrived at the hotel she was not
able to rouse him by knocking loudly on his door nor by ringing him. She wrote a
note and left it at reception. Ms Bennett stated that Mr Hutchence never
expressed previous inclinations regarding suicide.
(2) The deceased's father, Kelland Hutchence, dined with him the previous night.
The deceased was in good spirits, however appeared very worried in regard to the
outcome of a custody suit in London. Mr Hutchence could offer no explanation as
to why his son would take his own life.
(3) Ms Kym Wilson and Mr Andrew Rayment were with the deceased in his hotel room
from sometime after 11pm and left about 5am. According to Ms Wilson the deceased
appeared to want both of them to remain with him to offer support if the result
of hiscustody hearing was unfavourable. His mood was described as "elevated,
however pensive when discussing court proceedings". All three persons consumed
alcohol, including vodka, beer and champagne together with cocktails during this
time.
(4) Whilst Ms Wilson and Mr Rayment were in the room (when) Ms Martha Troup, the
deceased's personal manager, rang from New York. Then later at 9.38am she
received, via voice-mail, a call from Michael Hutchence in which he said: "Marth,
Michael here. I f...ing had enough." She rang the hotel immediately and the
telephone rang out. A further call was received at 9.50am on Ms Troup's
telephone answering machine. The deceased sounded as if he was affected by
something and was slow and deep. This call worried Ms Troup and (she) spoke to
John Martin the tour manager for INXS about her concerns. Mr Martin refers to a
note received from the deceased stating that he was "not going to rehearsals
today". The rehearsal was to be the last one prior to the start of the tour and
was quite important.
(5) Ms Paula Yates provided a statement. She provided background to the custody
dispute between her and Sir Robert Geldof. She stated that she rang the deceased
at some time prior to 5.38am on the 22nd November and he told her he was going
to beg Geldof to let the children come out to Australia. She had told the
deceased that the custody matter had not been finalised and was adjourned until
the 17th December and she would not be bringing the children out. Ms Yates
stated that the deceased sounded "desperate" during the conversation.
(6) Sir Robert Geldof received two telephone calls from the deceased, the first
at about 6.30pm London time on (the) evening of 21st November. It was of a short
duration and Geldof asked the deceased to call back. The second call was
received by Geldof about 5.30am on 22nd November, Sydney time. This call was of
some length. Geldof refers to the deceased's demeanour as being "hectoring and
abusive and threatening" in nature. He refers to the deceased as "begging" to
allow him to let the children come to Australia. He did not sound depressed
during the conversation. A friend of both Geldof and Paula Yates, Ms Belinda
Brewin, confirms the substance of the conversation between the two. A statement
obtained from a Gail Coward, the occupant of the room directly next to the
deceased's room, alludes to her hearing a loud male voice and expletives
emitting from the deceased's room about 5am that morning. I am satisfied that
she was hearing the telephone conversation between the deceased and Geldof.
(7) A statement obtained from the mother of the deceased, Mrs Patricia Glassop,
confirms her opinion that the deceased was in a depressed state.
(8) In December 1995, Michael Hutchence was first prescribed Prozac by Dr J.
Borham, a London medical practitioner, to treat a pre-existing depressive
problem. He was last so prescribed on 1st November, 1997. A London psychiatrist,
Mr Mark Collins, was consulted by the deceased on 17th October, 1997 in regard
to a minor depression being experienced by him. According to the doctor there
was no hint of suicidal thinking by the deceased.
(9) An analysis report of the deceased's blood indicates the presence of
alcohol, cocaine, Prozac and other prescription drugs. On consideration of the
entirety of the evidence gathered I am satisfied that the deceased was in a
severe depressed state on the morning of the 22nd November, 1997, due to a
number of factors, including the relationship with Paula Yates and the pressure
of the on-going dispute with Sir Robert Geldof, combined with the effects of the
substances that he had ingested at that time. As indicated I am satisfied that
the deceased intended and did take his own life.
I am also satisfied that this death is one in which nothing will be gained by
holding a formal Inquest. The identity of the deceased, the date and place of
death and the manner and cause of death are clearly set out and the time and
expense of holding an Inquest is not warranted and therefore such will be
dispensed with. May I offer to the family of Michael Hutchence my sincere
condolences on their sad loss.
INQUEST DISPENSED WITH.
(D.W. HAND)
NSW STATE CORONER
Glebe. 6th February, 1998