Michael Hutchence: Brain Injury and Suicide

Michael Hutchence of the Australian band, INXS was a talented lead singer and died too soon at age 37. That was in 1997. Early on, most people could not figure out why this talented musician had ended his life. Crowds mourned his untimely death. But in 2019, filmmaker Richard Lowenstein, who worked with Michael Hutchence closely made a film called “Mystify” about his life and death. He feels he unlocked some hidden information about his death.

What he discovered is that a violent argument five years before his death left Michael Hutchence with two large areas of permanent damage in his brain. Michael got shoved to the ground by a taxi driver, hitting his head on the curb and losing consciousness. He was rushed to the hospital and woke up determined to leave. After that Michael could not taste or smell. He started having mood swings and temper outbursts, uncharacteristic of his usual behavior.  

Michael Hutchence’ girlfriend at the time was Helena Christensen and she never discussed the incident with anyone. Richard Lewinstein interviewed Helena. He explored further and got to the full unedited autopsy report. He said that suddenly everything became clear about the brain damage he had suffered. Hutchence had two large contusions and permanent areas of damage in his frontal lobes. Lowenstein says “I took all that material from the interview and the report to an expert on suicide and neurologists and they said: “Without a doubt that’s what happened, he killed himself.”

According to the Danish Research Institute of Suicide Prevention and Psychiatric Center in Copenhagen, “Head trauma can affect the brain’s functions, which can cause psychological problems and, consequently, increase the risk of suicide,”