Michael Hutchence’s brother has marked the twentieth anniversary of the rockstar’s death with an emotional social media post in which he claims Hutchence’s ‘biggest secret is yet to be revealed.’
Rhett Hutchence published the letter on Facebook on Wednesday – exactly two decades after the 37-year-old’s body was found hanging in a Sydney hotel room – with a picture of the brothers.
Rhett said he believes Hutchence wouldn’t like ‘today’s world’ and would be calling for peace in his lyrics.
Michael Hutchence’s brother (pictured together) has marked the twentieth anniversary of the rockstar’s death with a social media post in which he claims Hutchence’s ‘biggest secret is yet to be revealed’
INXS, led by Michael Hutchence, was one of the biggest rock bands in the world in the late 1980s and early 1990s; the band is pictured here at the Miami Arena in Florida in March 1988
Rhett said he believes Hutchence (pictured with his daughter Tiger Lily) wouldn’t like ‘today’s world’ and would be calling for peace in his lyrics
‘We have been watching the world argue since you first sang of it, but it’s gotten worse,’ Rhett wrote.
‘It seems we have basically f***ed up this planet, proving that man cannot live in harmony, and money and greed rules.’
Rhett said he’s learned a lot about his brother in the 20 years since his shocking death.
‘I have read every statement, looked at every photo, watched hours of video, and travelled the world talking to most people near to you, up until.’
‘Your drug use shocked me, some roads I thought you’d never take. I guess you never healed your hurt. I wish the world had known more about the dangers of Prozac and suicidal tendencies back then.’
‘I wish you had of had some more sleep, and not had a groggy head full of coke induced bad outcomes. I wish you had heard what you wanted to hear that night.’
‘But you thought “f*** it, f*** you all” and like a Hutchence, did things your own way.,’ he said.
Hutchence (right) and his brother Rhett Hutchence in San Francisco in 1986
Rhett Hutchence published the letter on Facebook on Wednesday – exactly two decades after the 37-year-old’s body was found hanging in a Sydney hotel room
INXS frontman Michael Hutchence with his girlfriend, TV presenter Paula Yates, at a screening of The Birdcage at Planet Hollywood in London in April 1996, the year before he died
‘I know now what happened. I know it was a drug and alcohol induced combination downward spiral that showed little light at the end of the tunnel. If only you knew what a gorgeous day it was in Sydney that day and support was there.’
Rhett ended the letter by he still felt his brother’s presence around him daily and claimed Hutchence’s biggest secret has yet to be exposed.
‘I wish I had of been there for you. I know I could have helped your pain as you did mine. I am not angry for how you left. I am sad when you left. And I’m happy for what you left,’ he said.
‘Thank you for the laughs, advice, help, hugs, words, wisdom, world, music, and mostly, brotherly love.’
‘Your biggest secret is still safe and yet to be revealed, if ever.’
‘Until then, rest in peace Michael. It won’t be easy, but find the time. Love you with all my heart,’ he ended the lengthy letter.
Rock star Michael Hutchence, who hanged himself at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Sydney’s Double Bay in 1997, performs with INXS at San Jose Arena in California in April 1994
The corridor leading to Room 524 of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at Double Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs where INXS frontman Michael Hutchence was found dead on November 22, 1997
Michael Hutchence’s coffin is lowered onto the shoulders of his five INXS bandmates and brother Rhett (in striped suit) at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney on November 27, 1997
Hutchence was found dead in Room 524 of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at Double Bay, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, on the Saturday morning of November 22, 1997.
The 37-year-old, who had checked into the hotel four days earlier under the name ‘Mr Murray River’, appeared to have hanged himself with his snake skin belt.
A post-mortem examination found alcohol, cocaine, codeine, Prozac, Valium and other prescribed benzodiazepines – or ‘benzos’ – in Hutchence’s urine and blood. He left no suicide note.
In the hours before his death Hutchence had spoken by telephone to his girlfriend Paula Yates, the former wife of Boomtown Rats lead singer and Live Aid planner Bob Geldof, and to Geldof himself.
Hutchence had been hoping Yates would visit Australia with their 16-month-old daughter Tiger and two of her three daughters with Geldof, ahead of the last leg of an INXS world tour.
INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence, considered one of the world’s great rock performers, was found dead in Room 524 of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at Double Bay on November 22, 1997
Tim Farriss, Garry Beers and Michael Hutchence of INXS perform during the Kick tour at London’s Wembley Stadium in June 1988 when the band was at the height of its fame
Paula Yates and Bob Geldof (both pictured) were locked in a bitter custody dispute over their daughters Fifi, Peaches and Pixie at the time of her boyfriend Michael Hutchence’s suicide
But Yates and Geldof were embroiled in a bitter custody dispute and Hutchence learnt on the morning he died the children would not be coming out. That meant Yates would not be coming either.
The night before his death Hutchence shared dinner with his father Kel.
Between 11pm and 5am the next day he was with his onetime lover, actor Kym Wilson, and her then boyfriend Andrew Rayment at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
The trio drank vodka, beer, champagne and cocktails during the night.
Hutchence was apparently upset when he spoke to another former girlfriend, Michele Bennett, at 9.54am. Ms Bennett went to the hotel but could not rouse him by telephone or knocking on his door.
A maid found Hutchence dead behind his room door at 11.50am. Less than three months later, the police case was closed.
Police at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at Double Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs after the body of INXS frontman Michael Hutchence was found in Room 524 on November 22, 1997
The late TV presenter Paula Yates pictured with rock star Michael Hutchence, who died in a Sydney hotel room 20 years ago, walking with her daughters Pixie, Peaches and Fifi
Michael Hutchence with his mother Patricia Glassop, who made a statement to police that she believed her son was in a depressed state before he was found dead at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Michael Hutchence and Paula Yates with Yates’s daughters Peaches (left) and Pixie (right) and another friend of the Geldof girls (centre) at a London cinema in February 1996
Shortly after Hutchence’s death, Sir Bob gained custody of his children with Yates, Fifi, Peaches and Pixie.
Paula Yates died of an accidental heroin overdose aged 41 in 2000. Sir Bob soon became legal guardian of Tiger Lily and later legally adopted her.
Hutchence’s father Kel died aged 78 in 2002. His mother, Patricia Glassop, who had objected to Sir Bob adopting Tiger Lily, died in 2010. She was 84.
Peaches Geldof, mother of two sons, died of a heroin overdose aged 25 in 2014.
Michele Bennett has had a successful career as a producer of documentaries, music videos for acts including Prince and Foo Fighters and films including Chopper, about the Melbourne criminal Mark ‘Chopper Read’.
Coroner Derrick Hand retired in 2000 after a distinguished 47-year career in the state’s courts.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel is now the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay.
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