World Chef Found Dead In Home

In a statement, Swiss police said: "Late in the afternoon, police... went to Crissier (Mr Violier's home) where they discovered at his home the body of Mr Benoit Violier."

One of the world's most respected chefs, Benoit Violier, has been found dead at his Swiss home in an apparent suicide, police have said.

The 44-year-old ran the three-star Michelin eaterie Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville in Crissier, near Lausanne.

The statement added that it appeared Mr Violier had shot himself with a firearm.

Mr Violier's restaurant was last year crowned the "world's best restaurant" by France's La Liste ranking, which named 1,000 top establishments in 48 countries.

Swiss police said an investigation had been opened into Mr Violier's death.

They added that "out of respect for the family" the Swiss authorities would be making no further comment.