Controversial British photographer David Hamilton dies in Paris following suicide attempt
It follows alleged victims of underage sex attempting to bring the 83-year-old to justice for rape and sexual assault
THE controversial British photographer David Hamilton has died in Paris following a suspected attempted suicide, it emerged tonight.
It follows alleged victims of underage sex attempting to bring the 83-year-old to justice for rape and sexual assault.
Mr Hamilton, who lived alone in the French capital, was found in "an asphyxiated state" by emergency workers on Thursday evening.
"They reached him soon after 10pm, and tried to revive him, but he died from a heart attack," said a source close to the investigation into the death.
Mr Hamilton had been accused of sexually abusing at least four schoolgirls in France during his long career.
French radio presenter Flavie Flament, 42, had told how she was only 13 when, in 1987, Hamilton attacked her in his luxury beach hut following a photo shoot.
Her parents had left her alone, thinking she would be safe, but "very quickly his behaviour altered" said Ms Flavie.
"He raped me in the shower," said Ms Flavie, who was working with the three other women to try and see Mr Hamilton prosecuted.
In turn, he had angrily denied any wrongdoing, and under French law, the age limit for pressing for charges of rape of a minor is 38.
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Laurence Rossignol, France’s Minister for Families, Childhood and Women’s Rights, had confirmed that the law was being reviewed.
The aim was to bring France in line with countries like Britain, which has no statute of limitations for sex crimes, she said.
"I would like to know how (prosecutions) happen elsewhere, so that we may also be able to change things in France," Ms Rossignol said earlier this week.
In turn, Ms Flavie said: "Today, victims of rape, when they are children, have up to the age of thirty eight to file a complaint, and they have to live with this trauma until the end of their lives. Meanwhile, their torturer can sleep quietly saying that it is a closed case."
Ms Flavie said she was "honoured and impressed" by Ms Rossignol’s invitation, saying that "for the first time, victims will be considered; as they work alongside ‘psychiatrists, medics and lawyers."
She had written a book called The Consolation about her ordeal, while Mr Hamilton has threatened to sue her, and the other women, who have not revealed their identities.
Speaking before Mr Hamilton’s death, Ms Flavie added: "I chose to run the risk of being attacked by David Hamilton, for the simple reason that I felt I was supported by the population, magistrates, politicians and other witnesses.
"I chose to run the risk that, today, I will also be found guilty of defamation, and my rapist can now file a complaint against me."
Mr Hamilton had said he was indeed taking his alleged victims to court, saying: "Clearly the instigator of this media lynching is looking for her fifteen minutes of fame by defaming me in her novel.
"I will take several legal actions in the coming days and it will be for the courts to condemn those responsible for this defamation.’