20/05/2008

Inquest Into TV Presenter's Death

A full inquest into the death of children's TV presenter Mark Speight is being held today.

Police spent six days searching for the children's personality when he was reported missing last month.

A hearing at Westminster's Coroner's Court held in April heard that Mr Speight, 42, had left two suicide notes.

The SMart presenter was found hanging in a building next to Paddington Railway on 13 April.

It is believed Mr Speight had been broken-hearted over the death of his fiancé Natasha Collins in January.

An inquest into her death recorded a verdict of death by misadventure after hearing how she had taken cocaine, sleeping tablets and alcohol.

Miss Collins who was found in the bath, had also suffered 60% burns from the boiling water.

Inner West London Coroner Dr Paul Knapman said there appeared to have been a "double tragedy".

At Mr Speight funeral last month, his father, Oliver, described him as a "Pied Piper figure" who took children on a "magical mystery tour" of art.

He said that more than 7,000 children contacted the BBC after his death.

See: Death By Misaventure' Verdict in Actress Inquest

See: Presenter 'Left Suicide Notes'

(DS)


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16 April 2008
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TV presenter Mark Speight left two suicide notes, an inquest into his death has heard. The inquest at Westminster's Coroner's Court, which opened today, heard that a suicide note was found on the 42-year-old's body, which was found hanging in a building next to Paddington Railway Station on Sunday morning.
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The inquest into the death of children's TV presenter Natasha Collins, has recorded a verdict of death by misadventure. The 31-year-old fiancée of TV presenter Mark Speight was found dead in the bath of their home in St Johns Wood, north west London, with 60 per cent hot water burns on her body on January 3 this year.
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BBC Presenter Mark Speight Reported Missing
Children's TV presenter Mark Speight has been reported missing after failing to meet with a friend in Covent Garden, on Monday. The 42-year-old's fiancée, Natasha Collins, 31, died after taking cocaine, alcohol and sleeping pills at their home in St John's Wood, north-west London on 3 January.
15 April 2008
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A post mortem is due to be carried out today on the body of TV presenter Mark Speight, who was found dead in Paddington Railway Station at the weekend. The 42-year-old had not been seen since April 7. He was found hanging on the roof of MacMillan House, a building next to Paddington Railway Station, on Sunday morning by Network Rail staff.
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