Swiss skier's husband found dead

Police had been searching for Stadler since Sunday

The husband of murdered Swiss skiing star Corinne Rey-Bellet, suspected of killing her and her brother, has been found dead, Swiss police say.

Gerold Stadler's body was discovered in a forest near the southern town of Ollon late on Wednesday.

A gun was found near the body, but police declined to speculate on the precise circumstances of his death.

Rey-Bellet, who won silver in the 2003 World downhill, and her brother Alain were shot dead on Sunday in a chalet.

Their mother was seriously injured in the shooting in the resort of Les Crosets. The skier's two-year-old son survived unhurt.

Huge manhunt

Police launched a huge manhunt for Mr Stadler after the private banker was seen fleeing the chalet in the Alps with a weapon.

Rey-Bellet was a star in Switzerland with a wide following

His car was found abandoned in Ollon after the shooting.

On Thursday, police spokesman Jean-Christophe Sauterel said Mr Stadler's body was found by a tree late on Wednesday with several wounds and that a gun was discovered near the body.

"We have no indication that there had been a second person on the scene," Mr Sauterel said.

Rey-Bellet - who was three months pregnant - and Mr Stadler were reportedly having marital problems and recently separated.

'Shaken by tragedy'

Corinne Rey-Bellet, 33, shared a 2003 World Championship silver medal in the downhill event in St Moritz.

The speed specialist, who also won five World Cup races, retired shortly after her silver medal win because of a series of injuries to her right knee.

Fans have left hundreds of messages of condolence on Rey-Bellet's website.

"We're shaken by the tragedy," the site's administrators said.

"We send our condolences to the family members and express our deep sorrow."