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Mick Jagger’s bandmates are offering their words of love and support in the days after his girlfriend of 13 years, L’Wren Scott, took her own life Monday.
“No-one saw this coming,” said Keith Richards in a statement on the legendary band’s Facebook page Wednesday. “Mick’s always been my soul brother and we love him…we’re thick as thieves and we’re all feeling for the man…we really hate to disappoint our fans but we’ll see everyone really soon.”
The Stones cancelled their Australia and New Zealand tour following the death of Jagger’s partner, whose body has been taken from the morgue to a Manhattan funeral home, and whose untimely death was officially ruled a suicide by the New York Medical Examiner's Office today.
Drummer Charlie Watts assured fans that they’ll be back on stage when Jagger is emotionally ready.
"Needless to say we are all completely shocked but our first thought is to support Mick at this awful time," he said. "We intend to come back to Australia and New Zealand as soon as it proves possible.”
Guitarist Ronnie Wood says rallying around the dynamic frontman is the group’s priority right now.
"This is such terrible news and right now the important thing is that we are all pulling together to offer Mick our support and help him through this sad time," he wrote. "Without a doubt we intend to be back out on that stage as soon as we can."
The 49-year-old fashion designer was found dead March 17 in her Manhattan apartment. She reportedly texted an assistant to come over, as reported by The Associated Press, where she was found kneeling with a scarf wrapped around her neck that had been tied to the handle of a French door.
The model-turned-designer, whose gowns were worn by the A-list likes of Nicole Kidman and Sarah Jessica Parker, was reportedly $6 million in debt and planned to shut the doors to her once-thriving business this week.
She has been remembered by many in the industry, including close friend Cathy Horyn, who gave a glimpse into her final days in a New York Times op-ed Wednesday that revealed friends were “deeply concerned” about her.
“She was with friends on Sunday night, and, yes, they were deeply concerned about her, but, no, they didn’t think she would do something so desperate,” Horyn said in part.
“Like many small designers, she had problems managing her business: cash flow, finding the right managers, getting her goods out of Italian factories on schedule,” she added. “Two years ago, our friendship was tested when, after hearing her troubles, I told her she should give herself a time limit to resolve matters or get out. Putting her health in jeopardy because of stress was not worth it, I told her."
Horyn notes that Scott tried to resurrect her struggling empire over the last two years with little success.
“I learned since her death that she was planning to close her business, with an announcement this week,” added the fashion journalist. “As painful as the decision must have been for her, I wouldn’t draw any conclusions from it about her state of mind. Nor should any credence be given to reports of a breakup with Mick. It’s rubbish."
Rumors aside, with no suicide note left behind, her reasons for taking her life remain a mystery: “Her death is inexplicable to me," Horyn said.
Jagger also released his own touching words about his longtime love.
Posted on MickJagger.com, the 70-year-old singer 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," he said.
"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."
