Suspect Learned Of Trintignant's Death Days Later

LATEST: The rocker accused of fatally beating Marie Trintignant didn't learn of the actress' death until Monday (04AUG03) - three days after she succumbed to her injuries.

Bertrand Cantat, who is imprisoned in Lithuania, was not told earlier because he was too unstable - even talking about killing himself - to cope with the news, says his attorney LEONAS PAPIRTIS. Papirtis adds that Cantat "took it very, very badly".

Trintignant, 41, was hospitalised in the city of Vilnius on 27 July (03) after Cantat allegedly beat her at the hotel where they were staying with her mother and one of her sons. She was flown from Lithuania to France, where she was kept alive on a respirator before she died Friday (01AUG03).

Cantat, 39, lead singer of France's most popular rock band NOIR DESIR, denies beating the actress and no charges have been filed.

Officials are expected to take at least two weeks before deciding on any indictment.

Trintignant, daughter of French film director Jean-Louis Trintignant, had been in Lithuania since June (03) filming TV movie COLETTE, about the French writer.