A coroner in Australia has said that the rock star Michael Hutchence who was found dead in Sydney on Saturday, died as a result of hanging.

But it is not yet clear whether the INXS lead singer committed suicide or died accidentally.

The coroner, Derrick Hand, said in a statement: "Post mortem examinations have determined that the cause of death of Michael Hutchence was hanging.

"However, a coroner's investigation is still to determine whether the death was from suicide.

"Routine toxicology tests will be carried out and the results will not be known for some weeks."

The coroner said that death was caused by suffocation while the 37-year-old singer was hanging from a leather belt.

The funeral is to take place on Thursday at 2.30pm local time.

Yates involved in scuffle

Hutchence's partner, Paula Yates, has arrived in Sydney with the couple's 16-month-old daughter to attend the funeral

Huchence and Yates had a baby girl called Heavenly Hirani Tiger Lily

Yates was involved in a scuffle with a British Airways employee during a stopover in the 21-hour flight, according to other passengers.

In Bangkok airport, Yates was asked to reboard by an apparently unsympathetic official.

A friend pointed out that she was upset and on sedatives because of Hutchence's death.

Yates then asked for a buggy to transport her to the plane. The official refused and apparently told Yates he did not care about her loss and kicked her.

She retaliated by throwing champagne over him and the Thai police were called.

Yates and her entourage were allowed to reboard the plane, which was delayed by around half an hour.

After the plane landed in Sydney airport, Yates was escorted out of the airport, avoiding the media who were waiting for her.

Her solicitor, Anthony Burton, rejected suggestions in the media that Hutchence died when a sex game went wrong.

In memory of Hutchence - a fan's note

The reasons behind Hutchence death continue to be a mystery but police say they are not treating it as suspicious.

There has been speculation the death was caused by a drugs overdose or suicide but neither illegal drugs nor a suicide note were found in the hotel room.

Some British tabloids suggested auto-erotic asphyxiation - restricting air supply for sexual pleasure - was the cause.
 

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