Alexander McQueen found hanging - inquest hears

AN inquest into the death of Alexander McQueen has revealed that the designer was found hanging in his wardrobe.

• Alexander McQueen

A coroner today said that the 40-year-old has died of asphyxiation and that he had left a note nearby.

The 40-year-old was found dead last Thursday at his London home.

Police confirmed again today at the hearing that they there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding McQueen's death.

It is understood the designer had been struggling to come to terms with the recent loss of his mother.

The multi-millionaire's passing comes three years after his close friend and mentor Isabella Blow committed suicide.

McQueen rose through the ranks of the fashion world after starting his career as a tailor on London's Saville Row.

Born in the city's End End and the son of a taxi driver, he went on to win the British Designer of the Year four times between 1996 and 2003.

He went on to be awarded the CBE, as well as being named International Designer of the Year at the Council of Fashion Designer Awards.

He was named head designer at Givenchy in 1996 before joining forces with Gucci, who bought 51 per cent of his company.

Coroner Paul Knapman adjourned the inquest, which has yet to rule whether McQueen's death was suicide, until April 28.