'World's best chef' Benoit Violier commit suicide after 'fallen victim to £1m wine scam'

World's best chef was found dead at his home in an apparent suicide, he had recently fallen victim to a £1m wine scam - it has been reported. 44 year-old Benoit Violier, was found dead with self-inflicted gunshot wounds and a rifle by his side. The chef, who was known for running the prestigious Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville, was found dead at his Switzerland apartment.

It has now emerged that the married father-of-one scheme where rare wines priced from £14,000 up to £27,500 were sold to restaurants - but never delivered. According to Swiss financial magazine Bilan, Violier's restaurant suffered losses due to the scam of between £554,700 and £1.37 million.

The world-renowned chef had also recently spoken about suffering a crippling double loss.

In September he told Swiss magazine L'illustre the emotional impact of losing his father to Alzheimer's and his 'second father' and mentor Philippe Rochat.

He said:

 "(My father) died on April 8, three months to the day before Mr Rochat.

"Within weeks I had lost my two fathers."

Hie friend Swiss chef Fredy Girardet told Tribune de Genève:

 "He was a brilliant young man, with enormous talent and an impressive work potential.

"He gave the impression of being perfect. This news is so sad."

In a statement police said:

 "Late in the afternoon, police [...] went to [his home] where they discovered at his home the body of Mr Benoit Violier."