Jagger ‘struggling to understand’ the
apparent suicide of lover L’Wren Scott

In a message posted online, the Rolling Stones frontman said he will “never forget” the designer and former model who was found dead in her New York apartment.

The band also pulled the plug on their tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Sir Mick said: “I am still struggling to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way.

“We spent many wonderful years together and had made a great life for ourselves. She had great presence and her talent was much admired, not least by me.

“I have been touched by the tributes that people have paid to her, and also the personal messages of support that I have received. I will never forget her.”

Scott, 49, had been dating the 70-year-old rock star since 2001 after they met when she was the stylist at a photoshoot.

It has since emerged that her British fashion company had been losing millions of pounds.

Accounts filed with Companies House in October show LS Fashion Ltd, was running at a loss of more than £3.5m in 2012, up from more than £2.5m the previous year.

It is understood that New York City Police do not suspect foul play.

A spokesman for Scott asked for the privacy of her family and friends to be respected.

Scott, who was 6ft 4ins tall, was originally called Luann Bambrough and brought up as a Mormon in Utah, but changed her name in her teens. She was a wardrobe consultant for films such as Eyes Wide Shut and Ocean’s Thirteen.