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Speight hanged himself with laces
An inquest into the death of television presenter Mark Speight has found he committed suicide by hanging himself with his shoelaces at Paddington railway station.
The 42-year-old was found hanging in a building next to the station on April 13, six days after he was reported missing.
The childrens' TV star had been left reeling by the death of his fiancee, Natasha Collins, 31, at the flat they shared in St John's Wood, north west London in January.
He was initially arrested in connection with her death and over drugs allegations but no charges were brought.
Following Miss Collins' death, Mr Speight moved in with her mother, Carmen, who later told police he had disappeared.
An earlier hearing at Westminster Coroner's Court heard Mr Speight left two suicide notes - one found on the presenter's person and another in a flat.
Inner West London Coroner Dr Paul Knapman said there appeared to have been a "double tragedy".
An inquest into Miss Collins's death heard she took cocaine and sleeping tablets before getting into a scalding hot bath on January 3.
A coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure on the 31-year-old after hearing how she suffered serious burns.
At his funeral in Wolverhampton last month, Mr Speight's father Oliver described him as a Pied Piper figure who took youngsters on a "magical mystery tour" of art.
He said more than 7,000 children, many fans of the art show SMart, contacted the BBC after his death. An inquest into the death of television presenter Mark Speight has found he committed suicide by hanging himself with his shoelaces at... more -
Well-loved kids' TV presenter, Mark Speight, 'found dead'
Mr Speight, 42, disappeared last Monday, three months after the death of his fiancee, Natasha Collins.
She was discovered in a bath at their flat in London after the pair had taken cocaine, sleeping pills and alcohol.
The body of the man was found at about 1000 BST at the station.
Mr Speight's relatives have been informed of the discovery, police said, but a formal identification has yet to take place.
Mr Speight said in January he was "distraught" at Miss Collins' death
Video footage from CCTV cameras at the station is to be studied by officers as part of their investigation.
This is just really sad. It's just shocking, I mean, a couple of years ago I used to watch Smart, it's just hard to believe. What do you guys think? Mr Speight, 42, disappeared last Monday, three months after the death of his fiancee, Natasha Collins. ... more -
BBC Presenter No Longer Murder Suspect
Rubber-faced TV presenter Mark Speight is no longer a suspect in the investigation into his fiancee's death but he is still bailed on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs, thought to be cocaine.
The SMart star was arrested and bailed after finding his partner Natasha Collins' body in the bath of the home they shared.
The post-mortem on her body has proved "inconclusive" and the death is now being treated as "non-suspicious at this stage". Rubber-faced TV presenter Mark Speight is no longer a suspect in the investigation into his fiancee's death but he is still baile... more -
Kids TV Presenter Arrested over Girlfriend's Death
BBC Kids TV presenter Mark Speight has been bailed, following his arrest in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Natasha Collins, who yesterday was found dead in the bath of a north London house. At this stage, police are reportedly not viewing the death as suspicious.
Speight has been presenting TV for years, he has featured on ITV's 'This Morning' as well as the BBC religious show "Heaven and Earth," but it's his work as presenter on Kids' art program 'SMart" that will see him most recognised.
(This story has been updated from its original version) BBC Kids TV presenter Mark Speight has been bailed, following his arrest in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Natasha Colli... more -
Children's TV presenter Mark Speight reported missing
BBC presenter Mark Speight, whose fiancee recently died, has been reported missing.
The 42-year-old SMart host quit the show following the "tragic loss" of Natasha Collins, whose body was discovered at the north London flat they shared in early January.
Speight was initially arrested on suspicion of murder and supplying cocaine after the 31-year-old's body was found and bailed until the beginning of February, though no charges were ever brought.
He was last seen at London's Wood Green station on Monday morning and was reported missing by friends after failing to arrive at a meeting in Covent Garden at 15:30 BST.
A Scotland Yard statement described Speight as "vulnerable" and appealed for help in finding him.
"Mark is approx six foot tall, of slim build, with blonde hair and blue eyes," the statement added.
"He was last seen wearing a brown suit jacket, dark jeans and a brown flat cap.
"Police and Mark's friends and family are concerned for his welfare."
It was revealed last week that his fiancee died in the bath after taking cocaine and sleeping pills.
Ms Collins, who met Speight while filming the BBC children's show See It Saw It, was found with hot water burns on her body, face and tongue.
Westminster coroner Paul Knapman recorded a verdict of death by misadventure and gave the cause of death as cocaine toxicity and immersion in hot water. BBC presenter Mark Speight, whose fiancee recently died, has been reported missing. ... more
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