BBC News Online: Entertainment

Paula challenges Hutchence verdict

Yates, 39, talks about the tragedy in a Channel 4 documentary In Excess: The Death Of Michael Hutchence, to be shown next week.

In it she repeats her suggestions that the INXS star did not kill himself while experts, friends and family examine the idea that he was involved in a sex game which went tragically wrong.

The Australian singer was found dead in a Sydney hotel room in November 1997, aged 37.

The New South Wales coroner recorded a suicide but many believe Hutchence has been involved in a fatal sex act.

A Channel 4 spokesman said: "The film reveals crucial evidence available to both the police and the coroner which could have led to an alternative verdict."

Yates is interviewed along with the singer's brother Rhett and close friends about the circumstances surrounding Hutchence's death. Experts are also questioned about auto-erotic asphyxiation.

Rhett talks about Hutchence's appetite for sexual experimentation and says he was far from depressed and suicidal.

Yates describes how the birth of their daughter Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily had turned him into a devoted, loving father.

It is thought Yates feels that further investigations into Hutchence's death are crucial to the future well-being of herself and their daughter.

Legal proceedings

Meanwhile, members of the family of the singer are reported to be suing accountants in the search for missing royalties.

Lawyers for Hutchence's mother Patricia Glassop and his half-sister Tina Hutchence launched proceedings against the band's Sydney accountants in a Brisbane court last week, says the Sydney Morning Herald.

The women claim Hutchence's former financial adviser Colin Diamond and will executor Andrew Paul hid the rocker's assets in a complex web of offshore trusts to save tax.

The paper said the pair are seeking up to US$16m (£10m) in assets, including music royalty payments of an unspecified amount, to be included in his estate.

Relevant Stories

Star's father calls for death penalty (10 Mar 99 | Europe)
Radio row over Hutchence posters (19 Feb 99 | Entertainment)
Hutchence's father in Paula peace plea (10 Aug 99 | Entertainment)
Yates loses custody battle (28 Oct 98 | Entertainment)
Hutchence committed suicide says coroner (06 Feb 98 | World)

Internet Links

INXS

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.