Suicide of aristocrat’s boyfriend after they split up
Artist, 21, had been dating Marquess of Bute’s girl
A WEALTHY art dealer’s son killed himself after being dumped by his society model girlfriend.
kai Schachter-Rich, 21, had been dating 20-year-old Lady Lola Crichton-Stuart, daughter of Scots aristocrat the 7th Marquess of Bute.
The couple enjoyed a glamorous lifestyle posting glossy images of parties, art shows and globetrotting jaunts on Instagram.
But investigators suspect that Mr Schachter-Rich could not face life without his girlfriend. His body was found at his north London home.
a post mortem examination found he took a cocktail of drink and drugs before he was found hanged.
Mr Schachter-Rich was the son of New York art dealer kenny Schachter and artist Ilona Rich.
His maternal grandfather was Marc Rich, a financier known as the ‘king of commodities’ after founding multi-billion dollar company Glencore.
Mr Schachter-Rich had been attending Slade School of Fine art in London and lived in both London and New York.
St Pancras Coroner’s Court was told that he was found dead at his home on March 11.
His friend Jordan Vickers went to the property after Lady Lola said she had not heard from him all day. Mr Vickers climbed through a first-floor window of Mr Schachter-Rich’s flat after several attempts had been made to contact him by phone. Paramedics arrived at 10.22pm and pronounced Mr Schachter-Rich dead shortly afterwards. Police also found an empty bottle of whisky as well as cannabis. PC alex Bratterman said he discovered a text message to Mr Schachter-Rich from Lady Lola, which appeared to have ended the relationship. It is not clear if Mr Schachter-Rich had seen the text. No note was found. a toxicology report found that Mr Schachter-Rich was drunk when he died but not incapacitated. Traces of ecstasy, cocaine and cannabis were found in his body, although they did not contribute to his death. Lady Lola, a socialite and model, has appeared in society bible Tatler. Her father Johnny Crichton-Stuart, the 7th Marquess of Bute, is a former Formula 1 driver who won the 1988 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
Lady Lola and Mr Schachter-Rich had celebrated Valentine’s Day just weeks before the tragedy. Writing after his death, she said: ‘You taught me so much about life and love, my role model, my rock star. a life without you is a life I can’t bear the thought of.
‘The thought you were in pain and suffering in silence breaks my heart. I wish I could have done more to save you.
‘You made this world a better, brighter place with your epic energy and goofy grin and huge heart. I loved you with every bone in my body and more.’
Recording a conclusion of suicide, assistant Coroner Sarah Burke said: ‘It isn’t entirely clear why this young man decided to end his life. It may have been because of a breakdown of his relationship or by other causes that will remain unknown. kai was a bright man with a bright future.
‘It is not only a tragic case that he decided to kill himself, it is tragic that so many members of his friends and family would have helped him if only they knew he was struggling. I hope the people in kai’s life think of the sociable young man that he was, and not the way his life ended.’
The Rich and Schacter families said in a statement: ‘kai’s death is a devastating loss, he was a hugely gifted artist with a wonderful spirit and a sense of humour.’
For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit www.samaritans.org
‘My role model, my rock star’