Michael Hutchence was found dead in suite 524 in Sydney’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel at about 10.45am after committing suicide. He was 37. He has left his daughter, Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily and his companion Paula Yates forever.

Police had taken a belt for forensic testing after he was found hanging from the self-closing hydraulic arm on the door. No note was found. Michael had choked himself by kneeling down and allowing the tension to increase on the belt.

His father, Kel, said: "What can I say? I've lost my loving son." Mr Hutchence had eaten with his son at the Flavour of India restaurant in Edgecliff, before dropping him at The Ritz-Carlton, in Double Bay, about 10.30pm on Friday.

Michael then was joined by some friends in the bar of his hotel. They drank beer, Moet and daiquiris there and in his room until 4am. Apparently he became suicidal some time after they left.

Unconfirmed reports say Paula and Tiger could not be with him due to custody problems with her former husband "Saint" Bob Geldof.

The rock legend had also phoned former girlfriend Michele Bennett about four hours before his body was found and left a distressed message on her answering machine. She is understood to have gone to the hotel at around 9.30am, but left after trying to call his room from reception.

Some of his friends were at a loss as to why Hutchence, who returned to Australia last week to prepare for the band's scheduled Australian tour, might kill himself. Others , however, said that the custody battle and ensuing legal action had affected him to the point that he was on Prozac ( a commonly prescribed anti-depressant).

In London, Hutchence's partner Paula Yates was woken in the early hours of the morning to receive the news. Hutchence's lawyer, Mr Anthony Burton, told reporters outside the couples's home that she was being comforted by a friend. "Paula through a friend received this devastating news a short while ago and I ask that she be left alone with her family and her friends to enable her to absorb and cope with what has happened," Mr Burton said.