Crowded House drummer found dead

BBC On-Line ^ | Monday, 28 March, 2005 | staff writer

[yankeedame]

Last Updated: Monday, 28 March, 2005, 09:39 GMT 10:39 UK

Crowded House drummer found dead

Paul Hester was last seen alive on Friday evening

The drummer of the Australia-based rock band Crowded House has been found hanged in a park in Melbourne. Paul Hester, 46, had last been seen alive on Friday night, when he left his home with his dogs.

Ambulance officers said he had "attempted suicide" and died from strangulation. He was already dead when they arrived at the scene.

Hester played with New Zealand group Split Enz before forming Crowded House with Neil Finn in 1985.

Police have said the death was not suspicious.

Devastated

Speaking from London, where he is currently on tour, Crowded House singer Neil Finn said he was devastated by the death. I never, ever heard he was suffering from any illness

Peter Green "I have lost one of my best mates," he told Australian paper the Daily Telegraph.

Peter Green, a long-time friend of Hester, said he had not been aware of any sign of depression.

"Paul never said anything about that and I never, ever heard he was suffering from any illness," he said.

"Then, after today, I wonder if anybody really knew anything."

Hester had become a TV presenter after leaving the band in 1994.

He lived in Melbourne with his partner and daughters aged 8 and 10.

International hits by Crowded House included "Don't dream it's over" and "Weather with you".

[zarf]

Sad to hear. My favorite band of the late 80's and early 90's.

Saw them live in 94. Neil Finn and the gang were melodic as hell.

Great performers and very funny as well.

Prayers up for Paul and the boys.

[agooga]

Hey now, hey now, don't dream it's over...

[b4its2late]

Ambulance officers said he had "attempted suicide" and died from strangulation.

I would venture to say that his "attempt" was successful.

[CDHart]

As a dog owner, I find it odd that he would take his dogs with him if he planned to commit suicide.

Carolyn

[RockinRight]

That was my first thought.

They were decent. A little soft for my tastes but a talented band.

[b4its2late]

Yep. Crowded House was definitely a good band for the time.

[mother22wife21]

I thought the same thing. Wouldn't he have wanted his dogs to be safe?

[G.Mason]

Now the house is less crowded.

[finnman69]

Hmmm, maybe another Australian killing himself trying to get a thrill INXS style.

[rabidralph]

In a park?

[CDHart]

You'd think so --

Carolyn

[Major Matt Mason]

One of my favorites from the late 80's-early 90's. If you are a fan of the Beatles sound, they should be required listening since they produced intelligent, melodic guitar-based pop (which is in scarce supply these days). Sad news about Hester, but he was always a bit out there, at least in his public persona.

[thefactor]

Well if he was going to commit suicide, then he wasn't really thinking rationally. Everything goes out the window from that point on.

[monday]

"Ambulance officers said he had "attempted suicide" and died from strangulation."

If he died, I would have to say that it was more than an "attempted" suicide.

[Cyclops08]

Why is it always the drummer?

[kms61]

IIRC police in Australia are armed.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Sorry. Forgot. Thought this was England.

[My Favorite Headache]

Yeah heard this news this AM around 6 am. Very sad...I like Crowded House a lot and Finn's solo work is sweet.