AUSTRALIA: PAULA YATES DEATH: KELL HUTCHENCE
TAPE_NUMBER: EF00/1051
IN_TIME: 03:27:59 - 07:26:14 - 09:10:35
LENGTH: 02:52
SOURCES: CH9
RESTRICTIONS:
FEED: VARIOUS (THE ABOVE TIME-CODE IS TIME-OF-DAY)
SCRIPT: English/Nat
XFA
The father of Australian rock legend Michael Hutchence says he is shocked at the news of Paula Yates death.
Speaking in Sydney on Monday, Kell Hutchence says he is saddened by the latest tragic incident to hit his family, bringing back bad memories of his son.
Yates was found dead in her bed at her Notting Hill home in West London, by a friend on Sunday.
Kell, whose relationship with Yates was strained after Michael's death in a Sydney Hotel room in November 1997, says it's too early to say what will happen to his orphan granddaughter Tiger Lily.
He says he's still undecided at to whether he would pursue an attempt to win custody of his granddaughter.
Hutchence senior says that media reports he had already tried to win custody of the four-year-old were wrong, indicating that he only wanted temporary care of the child when her mother was ill.
Yates was plagued with depression in the aftermath of Michael's death, seeking treatment at private clinics several times.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
Q: Mr. Hutchence, your reaction to what's happened to Paula Yates
overnight?
"Yes, it's tragic news, shocking. Couldn't believe it. I got the news
about eleven o'clock last night (Sunday night)and that's been confirmed
of course and it's a very tragic thing."
Q: What now for Tiger Lily?
"I don't really know. It's too early to say anything really. I'm in
touch with people in London who are looking after a few things and it's
just terribly tragic, something we didn't expect and Tiger Lily is in
good hands, and she's safe. That's about all I can say at this stage."
Q: Who would you like to see take care of tiger Lily?
"Oh well, I don't know. There's so many issues involved in this and you
know, a lot of people used to think I was trying to get custody, but I
really never was trying to get custody, I was only trying to help a
couple of years ago by caring for her when Paula was not well, and you
know, custody is a very big and important issue, and I'm sure it'll be
handled in due course."
Q: So where was Tiger Lily when her mother died?
"Tiger was out in the country actually with friends and ...yeah."
Q: I guess this is just another tragic saga?
"Ongoing saga, yes, it seems to never end. I just thought we got over it
all, and, it's very sad things happened. Very difficult to cope with,
but here we are."
Q: Had you spoken with Paula recently?
"Yes, about a month or so ago. She sounded great. It's a shame. I just
had a call from her friend yesterday (Saturday) from London saying how
well she was. It's just a double shock to hear this."
SUPERCAPTION: Kell Hutchence, Michael Hutchence's Father
SHOTLIST: Sydney, Australia, 18 September 2000
1. Kell Hutchence, Michael's father, walking down steps
2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Kell Hutchence, Michael Hutchence's Father
3. Mid shot of Kell Hutchence
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Kell Hutchence
5. Kell Hutchence walking up stairs?