Report: Fashion's McQueen hangs self

LONDON, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- British fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen hanged himself days after the death of his mother, Joyce McQueen, the Daily Mail reported Thursday. He was 40.

No details regarding Joyce McQueen's death appeared in the article.

Lee Alexander McQueen was found dead in his London flat Thursday about three years after his close friend, fashion editor Isabella Blow, committed suicide following a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, the newspaper said.

"It is a tragic loss. We are not making a comment at this time out of respect for the McQueen family," a source at McQueen's office told the Daily Mail in confirming the award-winning designer's death Thursday.

McQueen reportedly had been preparing to introduce his latest lines at upcoming fashion weeks in London and Paris in the time before his death.

His designs have been worn to glitzy, high-profile events by the likes of Sandra Bullock, Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rihanna, Nicole Kidman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Katie Holmes, Cameron Diaz, Janet Jackson and Lady Gaga.

Kate Moss's publicist issued a statement Thursday to People.com expressing how "shocked and devastated" the supermodel is "at the tragic loss of her dear friend."

"Her thoughts are with his family at this sad time. We would also ask that Kate's privacy is respected," the statement said.