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Mark Speight suicide notes

By Ruth Doherty on Wednesday 16 April 2008

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Mark Speight

Children's TV presenter Mark Speight left two suicide notes, an inquest revealed today.

It heard that one was found on his person and a second was found at the St. John's Wood flat he shared with his fiancee Natasha Collins.

The 42-year-old's body was found last Sunday in an isolated building at Paddington train station - six days after he went missing.

Detective Inspector William Jordan of the British Transport Police confirmed the cause of death as hanging.

Speight, who presented the BBC children's show SMart, died three months after finding Natasha's body in a scolding hot bath at their home.

He told police at the time that the pair had been 'partying', taking cocaine, sleeping pills and drinking alcohol.

In February, he resigned from his job and moved in with Natasha's mum Carmen, who described him as 'a broken man', and who reported him missing last Monday, 7 April.

It is thought Mark blamed himself for Natasha's death, and builders found him hanging from a steel beam at Paddington station on Sunday.

Kirsten O'Brien, Mark's SMart co-presenter, described him as 'the funniest man I know', adding: ''Filming days were a joy as Mark would often have the crew and I doubled up with laughter and I think that showed on screen.

'As well as his fantastic art skills, Mark had a childlike enthusiasm for life, which is what made him such a hit with young viewers."

She added: 'Mark could find light in the darkest situations for others. I'm only sorry he couldn't find it for himself.'

Wednesday 16 April 2008

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Mark was such a funny and talented man. The story about him is so very sad. It should never of happened to such a lovely person.
Comment by Kim Hutchinson on April 17 09:24

I was very sad to read about Mark. But now hes at peace.
Comment by Patricia Lyndsey on April 17 09:31

I think we mustn't loose sight of the fact that they were drug users/abusers. Mark was also a very well liked childrens TV presenter - a role model - we must be careful not to show children that this is an acceptable way to behave. Yes the whole thing is tragic, Natasha was a beautiful woman and he was a gifted man.
Comment by Lynn on April 17 10:46

I still cannot get my head around this! like kirsten I knew him/of him he was such a likeable guy who would always lift your mood when u were low!! a great loss and a great shame he felt he had no one of like mind to help him in his darkest times!a fab couple who despite their social preferences were still human beings let judge and be judged i say!

i just hope they find each other again !

REST IN PEACE & GOODNIGHT SEE YAS LATER! XXX
Comment by SASSY on April 17 12:02

Mark was one of the few people i always wanted to meet from my young child hood up until now. I still cant over this tragic event.
Comment by carla on April 18 20:22

Another sad death, When will celebrities learn that drugs always end up in tears, Whether in rehab,violence or death it's inevitable.No point taking narcotics, supplying them to your partner and not understanding the dangers. They were both adults. A complete waste of life. All for a 5min high, I just don't get it.
Comment by anna kioufi on April 22 12:56

the shock hit me like when i found out about steve irwen and heath ledger. my mind dosn't want to believe it. i, like a lot of people, want to imagine that he will burst through a house and say look im here it was a joke. i met him once and he made me laugh even though we were strangers in the street. he helped me pick up my bag and the stuff that had came out. he shoke my hand and said bye and i know that people who knew him deeply were even more shocked than i was.
Comment by leojamminatra on April 23 15:30

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