Banker’s Heir Hangs Himself

Amschel Rothschild, the man many believed would be the prestigious Rothschild Bank’s next leader, hanged himself in a Paris luxury hotel, police said Thursday.

Rothschild’s body was found by a cleaning lady Monday in his room at the Hotel Bristol, not far from the presidential Elysee Palace.

Rothschild, 41, was widely expected to take over the British merchant bank N.M. Rothschild and Sons.

Rothschild’s wife Anita issued a statement Thursday saying the family was “completely shocked and devastated.”