Mick Jagger has broken his silence after the apparent suicide of his girlfriend L'Wren Scott.

The fashion designer was found dead hanging in her Manhattan apartment on Monday (March 17).

The death of the former model, who had been dating Jagger since 2001, caused the cancellation of The Rolling Stones' tour date due to take place in Perth, Australia on Wednesday (March 19).

Jagger has now spoken publicly about the tragic news, writing in a note on his website:

"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."

A spokeswoman for Jagger meanwhile was forced into dismissing reports that the singer recently broke up with Scott, saying:

"The story in the New York Post re a split between Mick Jagger and L'Wren Scott is 100% untrue. There is absolutely no basis in fact to this story. It is a horrible and inaccurate piece of gossip during this very tragic time for Mick."

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