
A verdict of suicide has been recorded at the inquest of fashion designer Alexander McQueen.The 40-year-old was under huge pressure from work and "overwhelmed with grief" at the loss of his mother, Westminster Coroner's Court had heard.
His body was found hanged at his flat in Mayfair, London, on 11 February - the eve of his mother Joyce's funeral.
An inquest heard he had a history of depression, anxiety and insomnia and had attempted suicide before.
His psychiatrist, Dr Stephen Pereira, told the inquest that the designer was diagnosed with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder.
He said: "He certainly felt very pressured by his work, but it was a double-edged sword.
"He felt it was the only area of his life where he felt he had achieved something.
"Usually after a show he felt a huge come-down. He felt isolated, it gave him a huge low."
Added to this was the distress he felt after losing his mother, said coroner's officer Lynda Martindill.
"He had been particularly close to his mother and following her death had become overwhelmed with grief."
Spring collection
A post-mortem examination found the two causes of death were asphyxia and hanging.
Last month the inquest heard McQueen had hanged himself in a wardrobe after leaving a note.
He had been making final preparations for his spring collection to be unveiled in Paris.
McQueen was named British designer of the year four times after 1996.
His close friend, fashion stylist Isabella Blow who helped launch his career, killed herself in 2007.This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

