Her sister Dannii was reportedly staying in the same hotel as Hutchence when he died.At the band's peak in 1987, the Kick LP sold nine million copies- buoyed by hits such as "Need You Tonight" and "Devil Inside" - making INXS one of Australia's most successful bands. It really is a most tragic event."Friends remarked on how Hutchence had never seemed more contented. Richard Wilkins, an Australian television presenter who was with him the night before he died, said: "Everyone who saw Michael recently said how relaxed and well he was looking. A post-mortem examination will be carried out on Monday." Another police spokesman said, contrary to initial reports of a drug overdose, that "only prescription medication" was found in the hotel room, and that police had taken possession of a leather belt from Hutchence's belongings for scientific examination.A band spokesman said: "The band members of INXS are all in extreme shock at the loss of their dear friend." Hutchence's father Kel, a Sydney businessman, said: "What can I say? I've lost my loving son."The news stunned Australia. to enable her to absorb and cope with what has happened."In Sydney, Inspector Christopher Hogg refused to confirm the cause of death. He said: "It would appear that there are no suspicious circumstances.
She flew out last night to be with his relatives.Ms Yates, who before dating Hutchence called him "the sexiest man alive" on television, was yesterday being comforted by her friend Belinda Brewen. Her solicitor, Anthony Burton, said: "Paula heard this devastating news through a friend and myself a short while ago I would ask that she be left alone ... Ms Yates, who was seen leaving the High Court in London yesterday, is believed to have intended to join him there with her children Fifi Trixibelle, 14, Peaches, seven, Pixie, five and Heavenly Hiraani next week. Rumours that the death was the result of sexual experimentation, rather than a suicide, were given some credence by the tabloid press because all had appeared to be going so well for the rock star.The singer with the powerful stage presence and a truculent style that earned him a "bad boy" reputation had gone to Sydney to rehearse for a sell-out tour, Lose Your Head, celebrating the 20th anniversary of INXS's formation. Last month he declared himself the "luckiest man alive" after it was rumoured he planned to marry Paula Yates, the mother of his 15-month-old daughter, Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily, on the Tahitian island of Bora Bora in January.Michael Hutchence spent Friday night dining with his parents in Sydney, where he appeared happy and relaxed.
Yesterday, showbiz lost one of its favourite characters as the "sexiest man on earth", Michael Hutchence, was found dead in a Sydney hotel room. The flamboyant INXS singer, 37, was reported to have been found hanging by a leather belt from a door in a fifth-floor suite of the Ritz Carlton hotel at 12.30pm Australian time. John Battle, the Minister for Coal, insisted on Radio 4 yesterday: "I see a future for deep-mined coal," but Roy Greatorex, leader of the Union of Democratic Mineworkers, said that without government intervention, "we are looking at the demise of the coal industry".. His life had all the elements of a soap opera. There was Saint Bob, the wronged husband; Paula, the flashy media personality who became his "soulmate"; and the glamorous supermodel and popstar ex-girlfriends. "The quicker we can do this, the more likely they are to write what we say," the paper admits.The DTI's media managers urge the merits of taking the initiative if the story is about to break, either through a ministerial interview with a specialist magazine or through a "pre-prepared" ministerial article.A new All-Party Mining Group in the Commons will this week ask ministers to change their minds.
