Pregnant model 'commits suicide' after rock star boyfriend dies

A pregnant model who had suffered a string of personal tragedies as a teenager has been found dead from a suspected drugs overdose.

Anita Harding was grief-stricken over the death of her fiance; and is thought to have killed herself.

By the age of 20, the attractive blonde had suffered anorexia in a attempt to stay thin, a miscarriage, and a marriage break-up.

In April, her Italian boyfriend Giacomo Agostini - the father of her unborn child - died at 31.

The couple had been living in Italy, where Miss Harding was working in his hair salon.

Eighteen days before she died, the model - who has a young son from a previous relationship - posted a message on a website set up in his memory which talked of her "pain and devastation" and promised they would be together again soon.

She wrote: "Giacomo baby, what can I say? I have no words to explain the greatness of our love, the happiness, nor the pain and devastation of you leaving, you are my fiance;, my lover, my soulmate, my best friend, and my protector.

"You are so many things to so many people, I am simply your princess 4 ever, only yours, we will be together again soon. I love you, baby."

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Miss Harding, who had modelled for newspapers and magazines, was found dead at Perran Sands holiday park in Perranporth, Cornwall, on July 12. Her unborn child, who was due in just a few weeks, also died.

Her parents and her elder brother and sister, who live in Plymouth, were too upset to speak about her death.

But her grandmother, Dot, left a website tribute to her which read: "My lovely Granddaughter and my Friend, The silken blonde hair and eyes so blue, I will always remember you. The precious times we had to share, You knew that I was always there.

"Now reunited with Giacomo as was your wish, I send you now another kiss."

Photographer Phil Carpenter, from Chelmsford, who often worked with Miss Harding, said she had died of a broken heart.

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"The newspapers liked her so much because she was different," he added. "She was a classic fashion model."

Another photographer, John Tisbury, of Northamptonshire, said: "It was a catalogue of disasters for Anita - a real shame, because she didn't deserve it.

"She was a stunning model. She adored her little boy, and loved her family. She was open, honest and full of life."

An inquest has been opened and adjourned in Truro, Cornwall, by county coroner Dr Emma Carlyon.

Miss Harding's death was recorded under her married name of Anita Phillips.